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Former Blue Peter presenter accosted during Olympic torch relay
Protesters tried to grab the Olympic torch off former Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq as the parade made its way through London.
Ms Huq, from Chiswick, was one of a number of celebrities and sports stars to carry the torch along the 31-mile London parade.
But the journey was marred by pro-Tibetan protesters who accosted her and others, with police arrested 30 people.
The protests over China's human rights began as Sir Steve Redgrave, the five times Olympic gold medallist rower, started the parade at Wembley.
The demonstrators continued as pentathlete Denise Lewis carried the flame to Downing Street.
Several small scuffles occurred as about 500 people in Whitehall and 2,000 near the British Museum gathered to watch the parade.
Pro-China supporters also tried to demonstrate, holding Chinese and Olympic flags chanting "one China".
Speaking to BBC News 24, Ms Huq said she was "a bit bashed about" but not seriously hurt.
She added: "I always said my taking part in the procession doesn't mean I condone China in any way.
"I believe in the Olympic values, the Olympic ideals, it's just unfortunate that China has such a terrible track record when it comes to human rights and they are the host nation."
Double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes will complete the relay before lighting the Olympic cauldron in front of 5,000 spectators.
Then follows a finale event at the O2 Arena headlined by the Sugababes, before the torch leaves for Paris.
The flame was lit in Greece, last week and will travel through 20 countries before being carried into the Beijing Games opening ceremony on August 8.
8:29am Monday 7th April 2008
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CommentPosted by: Jock, London on 7:33pm Sun 6 Apr 08
Good to see the police acting with some force against the cretin who tried to snatch the torch.
Will these same people be protesting about UK forces in Iraq when a similar torch relay is held for London 2012??
Good to see the police acting with some force against the cretin who tried to snatch the torch.
Will these same people be protesting about UK forces in Iraq when a similar torch relay is held for London 2012??
Posted by: Bill, London on 5:05pm Mon 7 Apr 08
Jock, there have been plenty of protests about the war in Iraq.
And yes, if the UK and America haven't moved onto another 'project' by 2012, then I would expect similar protests then.
Thankfully, unlike in China, the right to public protest remains in this country.
Jock, there have been plenty of protests about the war in Iraq.
And yes, if the UK and America haven't moved onto another 'project' by 2012, then I would expect similar protests then.
Thankfully, unlike in China, the right to public protest remains in this country.
Posted by: Richard, Newham on 5:53pm Mon 7 Apr 08
Whether or not British involvement in toppling Saddam Hussein`s regime was correct or not. It would be totally incorrect to withdraw our troops before a reasonable level of law and order has been estabalished there. I mean you make your own bed and you have to lie in it... To walk away now with the levels of civil unrest there(a result of the "Allied Forces" invasion) would be a disgrace.
However I dont think you can compare what the Chinese government are doing in regards to Tibet and other human rights issues to what the British government are guilty of regarding their involvement in Iraq.
I dont think our troops are there to oppress, dictate to or torture the Iraqi people , rather to stop them killing each other and since Britain is partly responsible for taking down the regime, that by just or unjust means [bold]did[/bold] keep law and order in Iraq, then it is only right that we should also take some responsibility for returning law and order to their land before we walk away.
Whether or not British involvement in toppling Saddam Hussein`s regime was correct or not. It would be totally incorrect to withdraw our troops before a reasonable level of law and order has been estabalished there. I mean you make your own bed and you have to lie in it... To walk away now with the levels of civil unrest there(a result of the "Allied Forces" invasion) would be a disgrace.
However I dont think you can compare what the Chinese government are doing in regards to Tibet and other human rights issues to what the British government are guilty of regarding their involvement in Iraq.
I dont think our troops are there to oppress, dictate to or torture the Iraqi people , rather to stop them killing each other and since Britain is partly responsible for taking down the regime, that by just or unjust means
did keep law and order in Iraq, then it is only right that we should also take some responsibility for returning law and order to their land before we walk away.
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