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| Jowell defends torch parade role | Jowell defends torch parade role |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Olympics minister Tessa Jowell has said receiving the Olympic torch at Downing Street was not an endorsement of China's human rights record. | Olympics minister Tessa Jowell has said receiving the Olympic torch at Downing Street was not an endorsement of China's human rights record. |
| Prime Minister Gordon Brown came under some pressure not to take part from pro-Tibet protesters and some MPs. | Prime Minister Gordon Brown came under some pressure not to take part from pro-Tibet protesters and some MPs. |
| Ms Jowell said it was "absolutely not" an endorsement of any "unacceptable" aspects of the Chinese government. | Ms Jowell said it was "absolutely not" an endorsement of any "unacceptable" aspects of the Chinese government. |
| But Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said it was "wholly inappropriate" for Mr Brown to take part in the ceremony. | But Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said it was "wholly inappropriate" for Mr Brown to take part in the ceremony. |
| The Olympic torch was received at Downing Street, during its 31-mile parade, which saw scuffles between pro-Tibet protesters and the police and attempts to snatch the torch itself. | The Olympic torch was received at Downing Street, during its 31-mile parade, which saw scuffles between pro-Tibet protesters and the police and attempts to snatch the torch itself. |
| Beijing will host this year's Olympics but there have been calls for a boycott of the games, over China's crackdown on mass protests against Chinese rule in Tibet. | Beijing will host this year's Olympics but there have been calls for a boycott of the games, over China's crackdown on mass protests against Chinese rule in Tibet. |
| Boycott call | Boycott call |
| Tibetan exile groups say Chinese security forces killed dozens of protesters. Beijing says 19 people were killed in rioting. | Tibetan exile groups say Chinese security forces killed dozens of protesters. Beijing says 19 people were killed in rioting. |
| Mr Brown resisted calls to boycott the opening ceremony of the games and earlier Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis carried the torch through Downing Street's gates as Mr Brown and Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell looked on. | Mr Brown resisted calls to boycott the opening ceremony of the games and earlier Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis carried the torch through Downing Street's gates as Mr Brown and Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell looked on. |
| It's wholly inappropriate that Gordon Brown is participating in this torch bearing ceremony today Nick Clegg Scuffles mar Olympic torch relay | It's wholly inappropriate that Gordon Brown is participating in this torch bearing ceremony today Nick Clegg Scuffles mar Olympic torch relay |
| But Mr Clegg told the BBC on Sunday it was a "mistake" for Mr Brown to be involved with the torch ceremony and Britain had to be clear with the Chinese authorities that they needed to "play by the rules". | |
| "The cornerstone of those international rules is that we all respect those fundamental human rights to which we, the British, have always attached a great deal of significance," he said. | "The cornerstone of those international rules is that we all respect those fundamental human rights to which we, the British, have always attached a great deal of significance," he said. |
| "And that's why it's wholly inappropriate that Gordon Brown is participating in this torch bearing ceremony today." | "And that's why it's wholly inappropriate that Gordon Brown is participating in this torch bearing ceremony today." |
| It is absolutely not an endorsement of the Chinese government or any of the aspects of the Chinese government that in this country we find completely unacceptable Tessa JowellOlympics minister | It is absolutely not an endorsement of the Chinese government or any of the aspects of the Chinese government that in this country we find completely unacceptable Tessa JowellOlympics minister |
| Protests started on Sunday soon after rower Sir Steve Redgrave began the parade - at one point protesters tried to grab the torch from ex-Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq and someone let off a fire extinguisher. | Protests started on Sunday soon after rower Sir Steve Redgrave began the parade - at one point protesters tried to grab the torch from ex-Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq and someone let off a fire extinguisher. |
| Labour former minister Kate Hoey told the BBC the passage of the torch through London was a "complete farce" and said Gordon Brown had been "very, very mild" with China over its actions in Tibet. | Labour former minister Kate Hoey told the BBC the passage of the torch through London was a "complete farce" and said Gordon Brown had been "very, very mild" with China over its actions in Tibet. |
| "He's not even coming out publicly and saying 'I think what China has done inside Tibet is abhorrent'. He has got to do that. I am absolutely appalled by this," she said. | "He's not even coming out publicly and saying 'I think what China has done inside Tibet is abhorrent'. He has got to do that. I am absolutely appalled by this," she said. |
| But Olympics minister Tessa Jowell told the BBC: "It is absolutely not an endorsement of the Chinese government or any of the aspects of the Chinese government that in this country we find completely unacceptable." | But Olympics minister Tessa Jowell told the BBC: "It is absolutely not an endorsement of the Chinese government or any of the aspects of the Chinese government that in this country we find completely unacceptable." |
| Conservative leader David Cameron later told Sky News: "I suppose the pictures tell a story which is that people in our country do have a right to peacefully protest - and that is absolutely right and people who feel they want to protest should feel able to do so, but they shouldn't break the law." | Conservative leader David Cameron later told Sky News: "I suppose the pictures tell a story which is that people in our country do have a right to peacefully protest - and that is absolutely right and people who feel they want to protest should feel able to do so, but they shouldn't break the law." |