Torch rerouted over dissident protest

The Olympic torch had to be rerouted 100 yards yesterday because of protests in the North.

Minor scuffles with a group of people demonstrating against police raids on homes in Derry prompted the switch near the city’s Guildhall, Mark Durkan of the SDLP said.

It followed a day of dramatic scenery and cheering crowds as the flame made its way around the region.

Mr Durkan said: “We support anyone’s right to protest but that has been abused here today in Derry.

“People are just absolutely disgusted that there will be negative headlines for the city coming out of a great afternoon.” He said there had been an agreement not to disrupt the torch but scuffling broke out when stewards and police intervened to push the crowd of around 100, half of them children, back.

A police spokeswoman said several dissident republicans were involved. One man was arrested and there were no injuries. The protest was not related to the torch.