LOC22:17
19:17 GMT
LONDON, Dec 10 (KUNA) -- British Prime Minister David Cameron Friday
demanded that tuition fee thugs face the "full force of the law" amid calls
for an independent inquiry into the mob attack on the Prince of Wales and the
Duchess of Cornwall.
But speaking to reporters, the Prime Minister defended Scotland Yard's
handling of the situation, insisting there was no excuse for the "appalling"
violence and vandalism.
Thousands of youngsters vented their fury over MPs' decision to treble
university fees to a maximum of 9,000 pounds a year. Police have so far
arrested 33 people as a result of the disorder in central London that left
dozens of officers and protesters injured.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has launched a probe
into one incident, which left 20-year-old student Alfie Meadows requiring
brain surgery after allegedly being hit with a truncheon.
Cameron warned that it was not possible to blame the distressing scenes on
a small militant element when so many in the crowd were acting in an
"absolutely feral way."
"The scenes people saw on their TV screens were completely unacceptable,"
he said.
"I don't think we can go on saying a small minority were there. There were
quite a lot of people who were hell bent on violence and destroying property.
"When people see flags being torn off the Cenotaph, war memorial site, when
people are despoiling a statue of Winston Churchill, police officers being
dragged off police horses and beaten.
"It is not acceptable, it is against the law to smash property, to behave
in that way, to attack police officers, and I want to make sure that they feel
the full force of the law."
Among the most shocking episodes was the attack on a Rolls-Royce carrying
Charles and Camilla by a gang who smashed a window and threw paint while
shouting "Off with their heads".
A Clarence House, the Prince's headquarters, spokesman refused to confirm
reports that the duchess was poked with a stick through an open window, but
stressed that the royal couple did not seek medical help.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson said an investigation
was being held into the security breach, adding that armed protection officers
had shown "real restraint" not to open fire as the situation slipped out of
control.
"I do think that the officers who were protecting their royal highnesses
showed very real restraint - some of those officers were armed.
"Their priority was to get that car to the point of safety, which was the
venue, and that was achieved, but it was a hugely shocking incident and there
will be a full criminal investigation into it". (end)
he.hb
KUNA 102217 Dec 10NNNN