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Jowell defends torch parade role Jowell defends torch parade role
(about 20 hours 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 the protests during the Olympic torch's London procession were a "good thing".
Prime Minister Gordon Brown came under some pressure not to take part from pro-Tibet protesters and some MPs. They showed that "free expression and demonstration" were part of the workings of a democracy, she added.
Ms Jowell said it was "absolutely not" an endorsement of any "unacceptable" aspects of the Chinese government. She also said receiving the torch at Downing Street was not an endorsement of China's human rights record.
But Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said it was "wholly inappropriate" for Mr Brown to take part in the ceremony. The 31-mile parade was heavily policed with frequent scuffles with protesters and an attempt to snatch the flame from ex-Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq.
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. Prime Minister Gordon Brown had come under some pressure not to take part from pro-Tibet protesters and some MPs.
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. The leader of the UK's third largest party, Lib Dem Nick Clegg, said it was "wholly inappropriate" for Mr Brown to take part in the ceremony.
Beijing will host this year's Olympics but there have been calls for a boycott of the games, over events in Tibet.
Boycott callBoycott call
Tibetan exile groups say Chinese security forces killed dozens of protesters. Beijing says 19 people were killed in rioting. Mr Brown has already resisted calls to boycott the opening ceremony of the games.
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. On Sunday he looked on as Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis carried the torch through Downing Street's gates.
It's wholly inappropriate that Gordon Brown is participating in this torch bearing ceremony today Nick Clegg Scuffles mar Olympic torch relayIt'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".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 Former Labour 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.
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. Conservative leader David Cameron 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."
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.
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."