Court challenge on arms fair arrests

Civil rights activists have lodged papers for a High Court test case over the legality of the police using anti-terrorism powers against protesters at an arms fair.

Scotland Yard initially denied resorting to the Terrorism Act but later admitted it had been used by some officers involved in policing the Defence Systems and Equipment International (DSEi) conference at the ExCel Centre in London's Docklands.

Civil rights group Liberty is accusing police of making "illegal" use of the anti-terrorism measures against legitimate protesters.

Liberty's lawyers went to the High Court in London this afternoon and lodged an urgent application for permission to seek judicial review.

Solicitor Mona Arshi said it was hoped that the application would go before a judge on Thursday as a matter of urgency.

Home Secretary David Blunkett has also demanded that police explain why they used anti-terrorist powers against protesters at an arms show.

Civil rights activists claimed officers made "illegal" use of provisions in the Terrorism Act to routinely stop and search legitimate demonstrators.

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