Talkin Bout a Revolution

[David Guyatt]

the description "more robust" translated from newspeak simply means we're going to beat the shit out of them.

Way to go Cameron.
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http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20101214/tuk-...dbed5.html[/URL]

Police To Be 'More Robust' With Protesters
Tuesday, December 14 11:37 am
© Sky News 2010
The Home Secretary is to be questioned on how the police should tackle student protests as it emerges officers will be "more robust" with demonstrators today. Skip related content

Officers have been briefed that they can use stop and search powers during protests planned near Parliament later, sources have said.

The tactic emerged ahead of Theresa May's appearance at the Home Affairs Select Committee, a cross-party group of MPs, which is expected to begin at 12.40pm.

She is expected to be asked about how protesters were able to surround a car containing Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall during demonstrations in central London.

Mrs May is also likely to discuss her views on water cannons in more detail after suggesting at the weekend that the police should consider every option in terms of how to protect the public.

When asked by Sky News about whether officers should resort to cannons, she replied: "You wouldn't expect me to sit here and give the game away about what tactics would be used."

But on Monday, she appeared to suggest they would not be authorised.

"I don't think anybody wants to see water cannon used on the streets of Britain," she told MPs.

She also defended the police and insisted it was unfair to blame their techniques when some demonstrators had come armed with sticks, flares, fireworks and snooker balls.

The committee's chair, Keith Vaz MP, told Sky News he wanted to hear how she expected officers to deal with similar challenges in the future.

He said cannons "are not part of what we do in this country" and welcomed her most recent remarks.

But he said a review of police tactics was vital because "these protests are not going to go away".

Police have faced criticism from all sides - both that they were not heavy-handed enough when trying to protect the royal couple and that they over-reacted.

One demonstrator, Jody McIntyre, has alleged he was dragged from his wheelchair by officers.

Representatives from the Metropolitan Police and the National Union of Students will discuss the tactics used when they give evidence to the Joint Committee on Human Rights today.

They are likely to talk about "kettling" - the technique of surrounding demonstrators to keep them in one spot - and whether officers stuck to guidelines.

It comes as a group of activists say hundreds of people will surround New Scotland Yard in a gesture of support for Alfie Meadows, 20, who required brain surgery after allegedly being struck with a truncheon during last Thursday's rally.

The Education Activist Network said they plan to link arms and "kettle" the police headquarters.

Later, the House of Lords will vote on whether to make a hike in university fees law.

"One demonstrator, Jody McIntyre, has alleged he was dragged from his wheelchair by officers."

Alleged? Nice media spin as usual. The word they should use is "fact". We've seen the footage. But, oh so many haven't and therefore using this word undermines the facts.