Tigers 'fool Met into allowing pro-terror event'

The Metropolitan Police has been tricked by terrorists after allowing a Tiger event to go ahead in London, it was claimed yesterday.

Supporters of the 'National Awakening Day' at the ExCel centre say it draws the capital's Tamil community to mourn loved ones killed in Sri Lanka.

But critics claim Thursday's event commemorates suicide bombers, is in clear violation of British anti-terror legislation and is run by groups which raise funds for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. The LTTE is a banned terrorist organisation, also known as the Tamil Tigers, whose leader is on Interpol's most wanted list.

Last year's event featured a speech from Prabhakaran broadcast via a satellite link in which he praised the "immeasurable dedication and sacrifice" of the Black Tigers, the group's suicide contingent. Scotland Yard has given the event the go ahead this year but officers will be monitoring all speeches with interpreters to ensure British laws are not broken.