'Full force of law' should be used on violent fees protesters - David Cameron

Published on Thursday 11 November 2010 10:31

PRIME Minister David Cameron called today for "the full force of the law" to be used against people who assaulted police or damaged property during yesterday's student demonstrations at Conservative Party HQ.

• Protesters smashed through glass at Conservative HQ in Millbank

Mr Cameron said those who opposed his plans to raise the cap on university tuition fees had a right to protest but insisted that "violence and lawbreaking" must not go unpunished.

An urgent investigation was under way today into how police were caught out when violent protesters turned a demonstration against higher tuition fees into an ugly battle.

Fourteen people were injured, including seven police officers, when dozens of activists stormed the tower block housing the Tory party headquarters in Millbank, Westminster.

Tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused as protesters smashed windows, damaged furniture and daubed walls with graffiti, sparking a four-hour stand-off.

Thirty-five people were arrested for offences including criminal damage and aggravated trespass and many more were photographed and identified as police prepared to scour footage for evidence of crimes.

Speaking during a round of TV interviews at the G20 summit in South Korean capital Seoul, Mr Cameron told Channel 5 News: "People who assault police officers or who smash windows or who break property are breaking the law and yes, those people I hope... will be prosecuted. They should be.

"People long in our history have gone to marches and held banners and made protests and made speeches and that's part of our democracy. That is right.

"What is not part of our democracy is that sort of violence and lawbreaking. It's not right. It's not acceptable and I hope that the full force of the law will be used."