50 charged over London Eye protest

The wheel has been used for protests before

Fifty people have been charged with threats to cause criminal damage after the Millennium Wheel was brought to a standstill by Turkish demonstrators.

In an operation lasting about 90 minutes police escorted demonstrators off London's giant observation wheel at about 2030GMT on Wednesday.

Scotland Yard said the suspects were also charged with a number of public order offences and would appear at Horseferry Road Magistrates Court in central London later on Thursday.

About 600 sightseers were evacuated during the incident. The attraction has now re-opened to the public.

A further 12 people arrested inside the European Commission building in central London have been charged with trespassing on diplomatic premises, a police spokesman said.