Tatchell bailed after Iraq protest

Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell was arrested after allegedly ambushing the Prime Minister's motorcade.

Tony Blair's car was confronted in London's West End, forced to stop, and a number plate was partly pulled from the front of the vehicle.

Scotland Yard confirmed that a 51-year-old man had been detained at 5.45pm in Piccadilly over an alleged breach of the peace.

But a spokesman insisted there was no breach of security as Mr Blair was on his way to greet his German counterpart, Gerhard Schroeder, at the Royal Academy of Art.

Tatchell, who was protesting about the Government's stance on Iraq, was seized by uniformed police and bodyguards who leapt from the Prime Minister's vehicle.

Speaking from West End Central police station, Tatchell said: "I ran in front of the Prime Minister's car, forcing it to a halt.

"The Prime Minister looked shocked and then the security people jumped out of the car and took hold of me.

"I held on to the underside of the car and was eventually dragged away by about eight officers."

When he allegedly confronted the motorcade Tatchell was carrying a placard reading "Arm the Kurds, Topple Saddam".

He said regime change should be achieved in Iraq by western countries arming Kurdish and Shia rebels, rather than launching direct military action.

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