Olympic torch relay hit by Tibet protests

The Olympic torch relay was hit by demonstrations by Tibet campaigners as it made its way through a snowy London today.

Police made 15 arrests during the morning as protesters tried to board the official bus, to jump in front of it, to put out the torch and to grab it off TV presenter Konnie Huq during her run.

Britain’s greatest Olympian, the five-times rowing champion Steve Redgrave, took the first leg of the 31-mile trip passing the Olympic flame to 16-year-old schoolgirl Cheyenne Green at a frosty Wembley Stadium.

British Olympic Association chairman Lord Moynihan told crowds: “The power of this Olympic torch will shine a light on the recesses of the host city and China’s record.”

Tens of thousands of spectators were expected to line the route from Wembley to Greenwich, along with 2,000 Metropolitan Police – including airborne, mounted and river units – for the eight-hour event.

A mobile protective ring remained around the torch, including a team of police cyclists in a convoy of security, VIP and media vehicles.

Sports stars and celebrities are among the 80 torch bearers in the relay which is costing the Greater London Authority more than £40,000 to stage.

But campaigners, who say China has tainted the torch with its human rights record both at home and away, held protests along the route.

Police made a number of arrests after an incident at 10.40am in which a small number of people, believed to be three, attempted to board the official bus in Engineers Way, Wembley.

They were quickly restrained by the dedicated police escort team, and there was no disruption to the passage of the torch, the Met Police said.

Meanwhile, officers stepped in when protesters tried to snatch the torch off ex-Blue Peter presenter Ms Huq.

In a separate incident, two activists were arrested on suspicion of public order offences after attempting to put out the torch with fire extinguishers.

Martin Wyness and Ashley Darby were waiting with their equipment on the corner of Holland Park Avenue and Ladbroke Grove.

In a statement, the pair said the relay was a propaganda campaign by China to cover its “appalling human rights record”.

“Our protest is not directed at the Chinese people whatsoever but instead at the brutal Chinese regime that rules them.”

As the torch continued westwards through London, pro-Tibet supporters waved banners and placards calling for Gordon Brown to boycott the opening ceremony, for an end to killing in Tibet and for China to have talks with the Dalai Lama.

Hundreds lined Bayswater Road, many wearing Tibetan flags and carrying signs which read “Stop the killing in Tibet”, “No Olympic torch in Tibet” and “China talk to Dalai Lama”.

Helping to lead the chants was Buddhist monk Ngawang Khyentse, who said: “We can’t just remain silent. We have no other choice than to protest because there is no other voice for Tibetans inside Tibet, so we have to speak out for human rights.

“At the very least the British government has to speak out and condemn the crackdown in Tibet. They must not keep silent.”

When the bus travelled along Oxford Street, human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell stopped it in its tracks by jumping into the road holding a sign saying “Free Tibet, Free Hu Jia”.

“The arrest last week of human rights activist Hu Jia shows that China is not fulfilling its human rights commitments which were part of the deal for them to get the Olympics,” Mr Tatchell said.

“At the very least, world leaders should boycott the opening ceremony and athletes should wear Tibetan flags when they go on the podium to receive their medals.”

Mr Tatchell said he was detained by police but released with a warning.

Commander Jo Kaye said: “The Met has clearly stated in the build up to this event that we will facilitate lawful protest, however we will not tolerate continued attempts to breach the safety security and safe passage of the torch and its bearers. Our officers will continue to respond swiftly and appropriately to any further incidents.”

The Prime Minister last night insisted he would attend the Beijing Olympics, despite fresh warnings by the French that President Nicolas Sarkozy could boycott the Games.

Mr Brown renewed his calls for “restraint” and for a dialogue to be opened between the Dalai Lama and the Chinese authorities.

However, speaking at the Progressive Governance Conference of international centre-left leaders in Watford, he said that even the exiled Tibetan leader was not calling for an Olympics boycott.

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg also put on the pressure by writing to Mr Brown urging him to pull out of any event connected to the Beijing Games.

Three men and a woman arrested yesterday after activists abseiled down Westminster Bridge and unveiled a 74 square metre banner were released on bail to return later in the month, the Met Police said.

Pema Yoko, 25, of Greenwich; Conall Hon, 26, originally from Belfast; Peter Speller, 23, of Cambridge; and Dan Burston, 22, of Birmingham, were detained on suspicion of public order offences.