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Brown condemns Commons roof demo Parliament rooftop protest ends
(30 minutes later)
Gordon Brown has criticised a group of anti-Heathrow expansion campaigners protesting on the roof of Parliament. A protest on the roof of Parliament against the expansion of Heathrow has ended after almost three hours.
During prime minister's questions, he said: "Decisions in this country should be made in the chamber of this House and not on the roof of this House." Six campaigners who unfurled banners from Parliament were led away at about 1220 GMT. They were detained by police and are expected to be arrested.
Earlier, six campaigners unfurled banners from Parliament, including one saying "No third runway at Heathrow". It is thought the group gained access to the roof via a fire escape.
Police said there was a "strong possibility" the protesters were guests of Westminster security pass holders. During prime minister's questions, Gordon Brown said decisions must be made "in the chamber of this House and not on the roof of this House".
Police said there was a "strong possibility" the protesters had been guests of Westminster security pass holders.
WavingWaving
The rooftop incident, which started at about 0930 GMT, ended just under three hours later when police led the protesters away, seemingly peacefully. The rooftop incident, which will raise fresh questions over security at the Houses of Parliament, started at about 0930 GMT.
It followed a similar demonstration on Monday, when banners were draped over a plane at Heathrow. The protesters were led off peacefully and then searched by officers.
This followed a similar episode on Monday, when banners were draped over a plane at Heathrow.
These stunts are becoming tiresome and do nothing more than peddle inaccurate propaganda Matthew KnowlesSociety of British Aerospace Companies Keeping Parliament secureAt-a-glance: Past protestsThese stunts are becoming tiresome and do nothing more than peddle inaccurate propaganda Matthew KnowlesSociety of British Aerospace Companies Keeping Parliament secureAt-a-glance: Past protests
During the rooftop protest, paper planes were thrown from the roof. During the rooftop protest, paper planes were thrown into the courtyard below.
According to Plane Stupid, the organisation behind the protest, these were made from documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act. According to Plane Stupid, the organisation behind the demonstration, these were made from documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.
A spokesman said of the third runway plans: "Two million Londoners face increased levels of noise, while CO2 emissions from the airport would shoot up despite claims by Brown that he's committed to fighting climate change." A spokesman said of the third runway plans for Heathrow: "Two million Londoners face increased levels of noise, while CO2 emissions from the airport would shoot up despite claims by Brown that he's committed to fighting climate change."
'Becoming tiresome''Becoming tiresome'
But Matthew Knowles, spokesman for the Society of British Aerospace Companies, said: "These stunts are becoming tiresome and do nothing more than peddle inaccurate propaganda.But Matthew Knowles, spokesman for the Society of British Aerospace Companies, said: "These stunts are becoming tiresome and do nothing more than peddle inaccurate propaganda.
"The aviation industry has achieved a 75% cut in fuel burn over the past 50 years and a similar reduction in noise from aircraft in the past 30 years.""The aviation industry has achieved a 75% cut in fuel burn over the past 50 years and a similar reduction in noise from aircraft in the past 30 years."
The protest will raise fresh questions over security at the Houses of Parliament.
We have had a sham consultation on Heathrow Norman Baker, Lib DemsWe have had a sham consultation on Heathrow Norman Baker, Lib Dems
It is seen as a fundamental part of British democracy that people should be able to go there to lobby their MP.It is seen as a fundamental part of British democracy that people should be able to go there to lobby their MP.
The public are allowed temporary passes to some parts of the building, but to get to most parts of the Palace of Westminster it is necessary to have security clearance or to be a guest of someone with clearance.The public are allowed temporary passes to some parts of the building, but to get to most parts of the Palace of Westminster it is necessary to have security clearance or to be a guest of someone with clearance.
The buildings have been subject to increasingly tight security measures in recent years because of the threat of terrorist attack.The buildings have been subject to increasingly tight security measures in recent years because of the threat of terrorist attack.
Security had also been reviewed and stepped up after previous protests, including a fathers' rights group throwing purple powder at then prime minister Tony Blair, and anti-hunting ban protesters entering the Commons.Security had also been reviewed and stepped up after previous protests, including a fathers' rights group throwing purple powder at then prime minister Tony Blair, and anti-hunting ban protesters entering the Commons.
Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker told the BBC: "It's clearly worrying that they have been able to get on the roof...Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker told the BBC: "It's clearly worrying that they have been able to get on the roof...
"But having said that I can understand, in a sense, the objective of the protesters. We have had a sham consultation on Heathrow.""But having said that I can understand, in a sense, the objective of the protesters. We have had a sham consultation on Heathrow."
The prime minister's spokesman said: "Our general position on Heathrow is there's an ongoing consultation on the third runway that closes today."The prime minister's spokesman said: "Our general position on Heathrow is there's an ongoing consultation on the third runway that closes today."
He added: "We are not going to comment on this particular incident. It's not clear what the full facts are at this point.He added: "We are not going to comment on this particular incident. It's not clear what the full facts are at this point.
"It's really a matter for the parliamentary authorities.""It's really a matter for the parliamentary authorities."
The rooftop demonstration comes on the same day that campaigners for a referendum on the EU Reform Treaty are due to hold a mass lobby of MPs at Westminster.The rooftop demonstration comes on the same day that campaigners for a referendum on the EU Reform Treaty are due to hold a mass lobby of MPs at Westminster.
There is also a permanent protest against the Iraq War on Parliament Square, led by veteran Brian Haw.There is also a permanent protest against the Iraq War on Parliament Square, led by veteran Brian Haw.
Have you seen the protests? Are you taking part? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below:Have you seen the protests? Are you taking part? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below:
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