British Speaker says LTTE demo a hijacking of Parliament
Walter JAYAWARDHANA
The Speaker of the British House of Commons Michael Martin charged
that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) demonstration on Monday
hijacked the British Parliament obstructing duties of elected members.
In an obvious reference made to filthy unsanitary conditions created
by the week long demonstration by the Tigers in the Parliamentary
Square, the Speaker said to hijack an important part of this city with
hunger strikers, tents and food stalls, but no toilet facilities, is not
the proper way to conduct a demonstration.
Charging the LTTE demonstration violated the democratic rights of the
others, Speaker Martin said: “Many of us were involved in demonstrations
before we came into the House, because demonstrating is part of a
democracy, but we would have those demonstrations and then leave. No one
has ever expected a demonstration to hijack Parliament Square and the
roads, and thereby stop others performing their democratic duties”.
Many members of the House of Commons were reportedly outraged by the
Tiger demonstration that turned into a mob. Sir Patrick Cormack (South
Staffordshire) Conservative Party member even suggested stricter methods
against the demonstrators.
Simon Hughes, Liberal Democratic Member (North Southwark and
Bermondsey) argued the demonstration was lawful. He said; “Further to
that point of order, Mr. Speaker, I do not condone people going on to
the streets, but I wish to place it on record that I know for a certain
fact that the demonstration in the square was applied for lawfully and
granted permission for at least the last four weeks, and it will be able
to continue lawfully for some weeks to come”.
But the Speaker did not agree.” I know that I might be in a bit of a
bad mood today, but let me say that when authorisation is given for 50
people to demonstrate, it means 50 people. But most members of the
Commons were complaining. Conservative Party Member for Macclesfield Sir
Nicholas Winterton said: “Mr. Speaker. May I seek your advice, because I
was personally involved in Parliament square this morning? I was coming
in by car and I was almost at Chancellor Gate when the Tamil
demonstrators burst out of Parliament square and occupied the road. I
was delayed in attending a meeting in the House. Indeed, I was held up
for an hour and 10 minutes, until the police were able to sort out the
traffic.
Is it not the case that Members of Parliament and those associated
with the House should have unimpeded access, and the police and the
authorities should seek to guarantee that?”
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