Police criticised over fees protest
The Metropolitan Police is once again facing questions about its ability to police demonstrations in London after yesterday's protest turned ugly.
As MPs voted narrowly in favour of raising tuition fees, demonstrators in Parliament Square started fires and smashed windows at the Treasury and the Supreme Court.
While the police deployed the controversial "kettling" containment technique in Westminster, protestors on Regent Street attacked a car containing the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.
David Cameron has condemned the violence and said those responsible will "face the full force of the law".
"In our democracy people are fully entitled to protest peacefully and make their views known," he said. "But the violence in London today is totally unacceptable.
"It is clear that a minority of protesters came determined to provoke violence, attack the police and cause as much damage to property as possible.
"They must face the full force of the law. The police have confronted considerable danger, and a number have been injured as they sought to uphold the right to peaceful protest."
Police said 12 officers and 43 protesters were injured, while at least 26 arrests were made.
The government has a notional Commons majority of 84, but it only got its measures through by 21 votes. 323 MPs were in favour and 302 were against. 21 Liberal Democrat MPs rebelled against the government.
Have your say...
Please enter your comments below.