Date : 13/03/2003
Tatchell bailed after Blair motorcade "ambush"
LONDON, Mar 13 (KUNA) -- Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell was
released on bail Thursday after allegedly ambushing British Prime Minister
Tony Blair's motorcade, Scotland Yard said.
Blair's car was confronted in central London last night, forced to stop,
and a number plate was partly pulled from the front of the vehicle.
Scotland Yard confirmed that a 51-year-old man had been arrested in
Piccadilly, central London, over an alleged breach of the peace.
But a spokesman insisted there was no breach of security as Blair was on
his way to greet his German counterpart Gerhard Schroeder at the Royal Academy
of Art.
Tatchell, who was protesting about the British Government's stance on Iraq,
was seized by uniformed police and bodyguards who leapt from the Prime
Minister's vehicle.
Speaking from a central London police station last night, Tatchell told
reporters by telephone "I ran in front of the Prime Minister's car, forcing it
to a halt".
"The Prime Minister looked shocked and then the security people jumped out
of the car and took hold of me. I held on to the underside of the car and was
eventually dragged away by about eight officers", he said.
When he allegedly confronted the motorcade Tatchell was carrying a placard
reading "Arm the Kurds, Topple Saddam".
He said regime change should be achieved in Iraq by the international
community arming Kurdish and Shia rebels, rather than launching direct
military action.
Tatchell said he was questioned on suspicion of breach of the peace and
criminal damage before being bailed.
He must report to the police station again on April 3.
A Downing Street spokesman said "This is a matter for the police".(end)
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