Student fees protest: Cameron condemns royal attack

Lessons must be learned from a security lapse which allowed protesters to smash the Prince of Wales' car window, Prime Minister David Cameron has said.

Prince Charles, who was in a Rolls-Royce on his way to the theatre with Camilla, said he "totally understood" the difficulties police faced.

The Met Police is to launch a major criminal investigation into student disorder in London over the last month.

MPs pushed through plans to raise the maximum tuition fee level to £9,000.

But 21 Lib Dems voted against the proposals, slashing the government's majority.

'Thugs'

Thousands of students had gathered in London ahead of the vote before the demonstration turned violent.

Met Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson said the royal route was cleared in advance.
Protesters largely took over Parliament Square and pressed against police lines in front of the Houses of Parliament.Mounted police were used to control crowds, at one point charging a group of protesters. Hundreds were contained on Westminster Bridge for a time by officers.Protesters threw flares, sticks, snooker balls and paint balls, according to police. After nightfall, riot police forced back protesters who were smashing windows at the Treasury and the Supreme Court.

Then at 1915 GMT, protesters launched an attack on the royal couple's car as it passed along a busy Regent Street. The Rolls-Royce was kicked, splashed with paint and a window was smashed to chants of "off with their heads".

Met Police chief Sir Paul Stephenson called the attack shocking and said the couple should be commended for their fortitude.

He also said the route was thoroughly checked up to the last minute and his officers had shown "commendable restraint".

He said royal protection officers were put in a difficult position by the unpredictability of the "thugs" and said there would be an internal investigation.

Protest organisers from the Education Activist Network said there had been no call to attack the prince's car.

Mr Cameron called it a "very regrettable lapse of security" and said lessons must be learned.

"Let's remember that this was not the fault of the police," he added.

"Responsibility for smashing property, for violence, lies with the people that perpetrate that violence and I want to see them arrested and punished."

Clarence House has refused to comment on reports that the Duchess was poked with a stick, but did say the royal couple were unharmed and attended the Royal Variety Performance at the London Palladium as scheduled.