Convoy bar justified by danger of terrorism, says Hoon
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Geoff Hoon, the Secretary of States for Defence, is backing the police's decision to bar the fuel protest convoy from London, insisting there was a "real threat" that it would be infiltrated by terrorists.
Geoff Hoon, the Secretary of States for Defence, is backing the police's decision to bar the fuel protest convoy from London, insisting there was a "real threat" that it would be infiltrated by terrorists.
Mr Hoon's comments yesterday came after warnings by security chiefs that they feared a "butcherous" act of terrorism - as devastating as Omagh - over the Christmas period. The fears have been heightened by revelations that a partly made 600lb bomb uncovered last month was a Real IRA device destined for central London in a horsebox.
Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London, also supported the ban, saying that clogged roads would cause "real industrial and commercial damage to London at a time when we are under threat from fringe republican groups who could exploit that opportunity. Leave your lorry on the outskirts and we will let people march through London".
As the fuel protest peacefully followed a designated police route from Staffordshire to Warwickshire yesterday, aspokesman said: "Mr Hoon wants to come back down to reality. It's totally preposterous. We are peaceful people doing our peaceful, rightful protest."
The 20 hauliers and farmers set off shortly after 11.30am on the third day of their journey from the North-east, with a group of 10 car-drivers. The convoy travelled 57 miles along the M6 and M1 before pulling into a truck stop on the A5 near Rugby, where they remained determined to travel to central London to air their grievances tomorrow.
Another convoy is expected in Edinburgh tomorrow. Protesters were due to set offearly today from John o' Groats and Inverurie, near Aberdeen, to converge on Stirling for an overnight stop before heading to the capital.
Meanwhile the Chancellor, Gordon Brown, announced that spending on road improvement would double next year, from £267m to £525m, with £560m earmarked for 2002.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments