Riot in Britain sparks fears of backlash over cuts

THE British government tried yesterday to play down a riot that marred a student protest in London a day earlier, but speculation grew that the trouble could be a sign of things to come as public spending is slashed.

Wednesday’s largely peaceful march by tens of thousands of students opposed to planned increases in tuition fees was the first major protest directly linked to austerity measures announced by the coalition government last month.

On the fringes of the demonstration, a much smaller group of youths attacked an office complex which houses the headquarters of the ruling Conservative party, clashing with police, smashing windows, lighting fires and breaking into the building.