LONDON: The British government is facing the embarrassing prospect of reversing its ban on an anti-war protest at London’s Hyde Park or allowing more than half a million demonstrators to hold a rally outside Buckingham Palace, it emerged on Friday.

A spokeswoman for Britain’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport confirmed that Pall Mall, was now the “frontrunner” on a list of alternative venues for the February 15 rally, which was banned from Hyde Park by Tessa Jowell, the culture secretary, because of fears it might damage the grass. Department sources said Ms Jowell feared she was in a “no win” situation whatever the government decided to do.

Pall Mall would be acceptable to the anti-war campaign leaders but allowing half a million demonstrators to protest outside the palace would be a public relations disaster for the government.

On Friday celebrities lined up to condemn the government, while Michael Foot, the former Labour Party leader, offered to lead a mass trespass of Hyde Park if ministers did not relent or refused entry to the Mall as an alternative.

A spokesman for the Stop the War coalition ruled out the Millennium Dome and Victoria Park in east London, alternative venues suggested by the Metropolitan police.

“It will be just as muddy in Victoria Park as it will in Hyde Park, while the dome has a history of being a complete failure and we are not going to be associated with that. But the bottom line is we are not going to be moved out of central London. It is the seat of government and we have a right to demonstrate there.”—Dawn/The Guardian News Service.

Opinion

Who bears the cost?

Who bears the cost?

This small window of low inflation should compel a rethink of how the authorities and employers understand the average household’s

Editorial

Internet restrictions
Updated 23 Dec, 2024

Internet restrictions

Notion that Pakistan enjoys unprecedented freedom of expression difficult to reconcile with the reality of restrictions.
Bangladesh reset
23 Dec, 2024

Bangladesh reset

THE vibes were positive during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent meeting with Bangladesh interim leader Dr...
Leaving home
23 Dec, 2024

Leaving home

FROM asylum seekers to economic migrants, the continuing exodus from Pakistan shows mass disillusionment with the...
Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...