Clashes as protesters breach G8 security fence

Riot police clashed with protesters who tore down part of a security fence close to the G8 summit venue at Gleneagles today.

As the leaders of the world’s richest nations arrived for the summit, several hundred people broke through police lines into a field and moved towards the fence.

They had been part of a demonstration, near the luxury Perthshire hotel, which had been given the go-ahead by the police.

But led by black-clad protesters wearing crash helmets, a small group pulled down a 20ft section of the steel fence and threw rocks at police on the other side.

A policeman was forced to abandon a watchtower close to where the fence was pulled down.

Riot police with dogs attempted to force the protesters back across the field to the route of the main march.

Police cordoned off the field as scores of officers stood along the edge of the field stopping protesters getting back to the fence.

Earlier trouble had erupted in Stirling as protesters began moving from an “eco-camp” where they had been based for the last week.

Around 300 protesters, dressed in hooded tops with scarves obscuring their faces, clashed with riot police and attacked shops and other businesses in the early hours of the morning.

The violence saw running battles being fought as groups of demonstrators smashed cars with iron bars and hurled bricks through the windows of a Burger King.

Masked hooligans rampaged through residential areas, smashing windows and wrenching satellite dishes from walls.

The M9, the major road through central Scotland, which leads to Gleneagles, was brought to a standstill as protesters staged blockades.

There was major traffic disruption on the M9, which is the main link road between the central belt of the country and the north and passes Gleneagles.

ScotRail closed Stirling station for a period on the advice of police because of protests taking place in the area.

The blockades prevented many G8 protesters from reaching Auchterarder.

Later, the controversial protest march to the edge of the hotel where world leaders will gather for the G8 summit finally got under way.

An estimated 4,000 campaigners set off at exactly 2.15pm towards Gleneagles - more than two hours later than expected.

Police had earlier attempted to cancel the march after the trouble in Stirling but following talks with organisers, officers agreed to let the procession go ahead.

Many of the marchers were holding banners, chanting to the rhythm of beating drums.

At the head of the march were human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar, Scottish Socialist Party leader Colin Fox, Rose Gentle, whose son Gordon was killed in Iraq, G8 Alternatives organiser Gill Hubbard and Respect MP George Galloway.

Mr Galloway was at the centre of the front row, when the march was stopped around 15ft from a metal fence blocking the route to Gleneagles.

He was allowed forward and walked up to the fence, putting his hand on the bars and speaking to police officers on the other side.

Afterwards he told Press Association: “It comes to something in our country when we are stopped by riot police protecting these criminals inside at our expense.

“One hundred million pounds this has cost this summit. They should be made to meet on an island somewhere. I understand Alcatraz is available. Why should the taxpayer have to pay for it?”

Live 8 organiser Bob Geldof condemned the protesters who clashed with police near Stirling.

He spoke out as he met hundreds of people arriving in Edinburgh on buses from England for theLive 8 concert in the capital.

He said: “How do you compare it with the people here – dignified and respectful – with the people who have no real political agenda?”

David Mulhern, deputy chief constable of Central Scotland Police, said 53 people were arrested during the trouble in Stirling.

He said: “These were individuals with no regard for their own safety or that or any member of the public or police officers.

“Indeed, five officers were taken to hospital as a result of injuries sustained during these confrontations.

“The two female and three male officers suffered a series of injuries caused through being struck with a number of objects which were either thrown or used as weapons.

“I cannot see what logical link to peaceful protest or demonstration this activity may have had.”

He added: “The actions of this significant minority of people have no connection whatsoever to free speech or legitimate protest.”