CHINA PROTESTS BLIGHT TORCH RELAY
Olympic organisers were left with a huge headache yesterday after protests marred the Olympic torch relay in London.
Protesters were out in force along the route of the Olympic torch relay as China's human rights record and involvement in Tibet came under fire in a series of high-profile incidents.
Thirty-seven arrests were made amid tight security surrounding the torch, with around 2,000 officers on duty yesterday for the event, 500 more than the number covering the weekend's football which included two FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley, supporting 10 Chinese 'flame attendants.'
One protester attempted to snatch the torch from former Blue Peter presenter Connie Huq at Bayswater whilst another campaigner set-off a fire extinguisher at Holland Park.
Changes were made to the route in an attempt to avoid the protestors, with Chinese ambassador carrying the torch through China town whilst the torch was carried from Fleet Street to St Paul's Cathedral by bus on police advice.
The chaotic scenes continued outside Downing Street as former Olympic heptathlon gold medallist Denise Lewis took the flame to No 10.
Gordon Brown greeted the torch outside Number 10 despite coming under pressure to boycott the parade and the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony. However he did not hold it.
The scenes are the latest embarrassment for Beijing organisers, who are coming under increased pressure from pro-Tibet and human rights campaigners.
At the official flame handover, protesters broke a police cordon, with one unfurling a flag depicting the Olympic rings in handcuffs.
At the start of the Olympic relay in Beijing, Tiananmen Square was sealed off amid a huge security presence.
Further demonstrations are expected as the torch is relayed through Paris today.
But Beijing Olympic torch relay spokesman Qu Yingpu condemned the protests, claiming that such an event was not the place to air political views.
"This is not the right time, the right platform, for any people to voice their political views," he told the BBC.
"So we are very grateful and very thankful to the people in London, the police and the organisers, for their efforts trying to keep order."
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