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domingo, 12 de dezembro de 2010

#NEWS: Protesters made 'contact' with Prince Charles' wife

By the CNN Wire Staff
December 12, 2010 8:51 a.m. EST


London (CNN) -- Protesters made "some contact" with Prince Charles' wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, during a demonstration in London last week, Home Secretary Theresa May said Sunday.

May, whose responsibilities include domestic security, refused to confirm Camilla was "poked with a stick," as some British media have reported.

Charles and Camilla's car was hit with paint and a window was cracked as the vehicle drove through protesters en route to a show in central London on Thursday night. Neither of them was injured, although the duchess looked shaken as she got out of the car.

May has not offered to resign over the incident, she said Sunday on Sky News.

Police released images Sunday of 14 people they want to question in connection with violence at the demonstration, which was to protest government plans to let universities triple their tuition fees.

"We want the public to help us identify these people who may have been involved in violent disorder, attacking police officers and smashing buildings, shops and windows," Detective Chief Superintendent Matthew Horne said in a statement.

"The vast majority of the people we are seeking are suspected of committing serious offences of violent disorder and criminal damage," he said, without specifying whether any were directly involved in the attack on the royals' car.

A total of 34 people were arrested at the demonstration Thursday, the fourth in a series of protests against the planned tuition increase.

British Prime Minister David Cameron said Friday that protesters who resorted to violence will "feel the full force of the law," and blamed them for wreaking havoc in London during the pre-Christmas weeks.

Addressing reporters, Cameron defended the government's contentious move to triple tuiton at UK universities and said protesters, not the police, should be blamed for the chaos.

"I immediately rang the Prince of Wales," Prince Charles, said Cameron. "We need to learn the lesson of this incident," he said.

On Friday, police sifted through rubble strewn over London's Parliament square, searching for clues and culprits in Thursday night's protests, where students and their supporters, enraged by the tuition hike, broke windows and ambushed the royal vehicle.

"It is not the fault of the police," said Cameron. "It was the fault of those who tried to smash that car."

Members of the National Union of Students condemned any forms of violence, including from the police, they said in a statement on their website.

"Regarding many of the scenes that were witnessed yesterday, whilst it is clear that there were a small number of people involved who were inciting violence, many people were contained for a long period of time when attempting to take part in peaceful protest," the NUS stated.

"We are calling on the Metropolitan Police to have a full investigation into the clashes yesterday between protesters and the police and for it to look again at its tactics for policing demonstrations," it said.

A photo of the royal couple, dressed in evening wear, made headlines as it showed the startled expressions on their faces as they sat in their Rolls-Royce before exiting for a Royal Variety Performance.

The royal couple escaped unhurt. Police said the route had been cleared minutes before the royal couple was due to make their journey.

The high-profile incident came late in a day of violent protests that left at least 12 officers and 43 demonstrators hurt.

London's Metropolitan Police issued a statement Friday condemning the protests and alleged vandalism that took place Thursday night, claiming protesters intimidated Christmas shoppers and bystanders.

"This has nothing to do with peaceful protest," the statement said.

"Students are involved in wanton vandalism including smashing windows in Oxford and Regent streets."

The protests followed a vote in the House of Commons to approve a plan to raise the existing cap on tuition rates charged by universities from £3,000 to £9,000 a year. In U.S. dollars, that's a nearly $10,000 a year increase -- from

roughly $4,700 to $14,000.

Lawmakers approved the plan in a 323-302 vote.

The measure awaits approval by the House of Lords and a signature by the queen before it can become law.


Fees protester made 'contact' with Camilla says May

Charles and Camilla in car Camilla and Charles found themselves in the middle of the protest

Home Secretary Theresa May has confirmed there was "contact" between the Duchess of Cornwall and one of the protesters who attacked her car.

But she did not confirm reports the duchess was poked with a stick during student protests on Thursday.

The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Paul Stephenson, has spoken to Prince Charles following the incident.

Overnight the police have issued images of 14 alleged rioters.

The BBC understands there have been some positive responses from members of the public to the release of the photos.

The protesters launched an attack on a car carrying Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall as it passed along Regent Street.

Their Rolls-Royce was kicked, splashed with paint and a window was cracked to chants of "off with their heads".

There were reports Camilla was poked with a stick, through one of the car windows as the royal couple made their way to the London Palladium.

Mrs May told Sky News: "I'm not sure about the term 'poked with a stick'. I understand there was some contact made.

No resignation
The paint-spattered Rolls-Royce Mrs May said the Rolls-Royce may no longer be "appropriate transport"

"Again this is an incident that needs to be looked at by the Metropolitan Police. That is what they are doing. So we will very soon have the details of that.

"And obviously it will be for them to look at what happened and decide whether there are any lessons that need to be learned."

She said had not considered offering her resignation over the incident and added: "Of course that's an incredibly regrettable incident that took place.

"We should praise the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall for their response - they carried on with the engagement they were doing that evening so they didn't let down the people who were expecting them."

A Clarence House spokesman confirmed Prince Charles and Sir Paul spoke following Thursday's incident.

A Scotland Yard spokesman declined to confirm reports the commissioner apologised personally to the Prince.

Six suspects who are wanted for questioning by police There have been 'positive responses' from the public to the release of the images

There has been speculation in the wake of the incident that the Prince of Wales may trade in his Rolls-Royce for a more secure vehicle.

Mrs May said the Phantom VI might not be "appropriate" for the purpose any more.

The car was a gift from the Car Association to the Queen in her Silver Jubilee year of 1977, but Mrs May said: "One of the issues that may very well be looked at is the question of the appropriate transport that is used by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall."

Prime Minister David Cameron has said protesters who engaged in violence should face the "full force of the law".

Ms May is due to make a statement on the tuition fees protests in the House of Commons on Monday.

Officers have reviewed hours of CCTV footage as part of their investigations into the disorder and have appealed for the public's help in identifying suspects.

Detective Chief Superintendent Matthew Horne said: "The vast majority of the people we are seeking are suspected of committing serious offences of violent disorder and criminal damage."

He added: "The rights of protest and expression are important to us all.

"However, people breaking the law, endangering those protesting peacefully and committing offences such as this are criminals."

Scotland Yard has launched a "major criminal investigation", called Operation Malone, into all the tuition fee protests held from 10 November, when students stormed Tory headquarters in Millbank, up to Thursday's demonstration in Parliament Square.

A total of 175 people were arrested during the four demonstrations, including 34 who were detained on Thursday.

Police are urging people who can identify any of the suspects whose pictures it has released to call 020 8358 0100 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.




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