The Hindu : Blair heckled over Iraq

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jan 25, 2003

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International

Blair heckled over Iraq

By Hasan Suroor

LONDON JAN. 24. The British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, had his first taste of growing public anger against his Iraq policy when he was heckled at a Labour Party function in London while anti-war protesters chanted slogans outside the venue.

He was forced to use a separate door to enter the building to avoid protesters who had collected at the main entrance of South Camden Community School where he later addressed party activists about his Government's policy reforms.

Midway through the speech, Mr. Blair was rudely interrupted by a student of the London School of Economics. Ian Wilson (22), caused a stir as he stood up and protested that the Prime Minister was "missing the point'' over Iraq.

Much to Mr. Blair's chagrin, the heckler drew support from sections of the audience who cheered his remarks. A visibly embarrassed Mr. Blair said : "This is a democracy and you are entitled to make a speech but I'm making my speech now. You can go and make yours somewhere else.'' Mr. Wilson was grabbed by security men and escorted out of the building. The incident came as a new opinion poll showed that a whopping 81 per cent of the people were opposed to an attack on Iraq without a fresh U.N. mandate.

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