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Jowell defends torch parade role | Jowell defends torch parade role |
(about 20 hours later) | |
Olympics minister Tessa Jowell has said the protests during the Olympic torch's London procession were a "good thing". | |
They showed that "free expression and demonstration" were part of the workings of a democracy, she added. | |
She also said receiving the torch at Downing Street was not an endorsement of China's human rights record. | |
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. | |
Prime Minister Gordon Brown had come under some pressure not to take part from pro-Tibet protesters and some MPs. | |
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 call | Boycott call |
Mr Brown has already resisted calls to boycott the opening ceremony of the games. | |
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 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". | 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." |
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. | |
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." | |