Tatchell loses battle for Kissinger's arrest

Crowds of protesters descended on the Albert Hall

Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell has lost his campaign to have former US National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger arrested for alleged war crimes.

Mr Tatchell wanted to have Mr Kissinger arrested under the Geneva Conventions Act 1957, for the "killing, injuring and displacement" of millions of Vietnamese and Cambodian people during the Vietnam war.

But Mr Tatchell vowed to fight on with his legal battle, following the hearing at Bow Street Magistrates Court, London, on Wednesday.

Dr Kissinger: One of several speakers at the conference

Crowds of protesters have also been staging a protest outside the Royal Albert Hall, where the former US statesman is due to speak at a business conference.

Speaking to journalists outside the hearing, Mr Tatchell said: "I intend to liaise with human rights lawyers and groups abroad to amass further evidence against Henry Kissinger with a view to attempting another prosecution at some point in the future.

"This is not the end of the line."

During the ten-minute hearing in which District Judge Nicholas Evans issued his judgment, Mr Tatchell was told that an arrest warrant could only be issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions, and that without his consent no arrest could be made.

Human rights protesters

Earlier traffic around the Albert Hall was brought to a standstill as around 200 protesters banged drums and chanted ahead of the Institute of Directors (IoD) annual conference.

Dr Kissinger is due to give a speech to the event but the 78-year-old's appearance has sparked outrage among civil rights protesters and some left-wing MPs.

Peter Tatchell vows to fight on

Scores of protesters - who were also joined by anti-globalisation campaigners - sat on the main road outside the Royal Albert Hall beating drums and chanting "war criminal" and "this is what democracy looks like".

A huge puppet depicting the former US statesman was set up on the pavement outside the hall by a group known as the Get Kissinger Group.

There was tight security outside the conference venue but police did not intervene while the protesters carried out their protest.

Questions

Other European judges are seeking to question Dr Kissinger.

French judge Sophie-Helene Chateau is also seeking to question his Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

She and Spanish investigating judge Baltasar Garzon, are both looking at aspects of former Chilean leader General Pinochet's rule.

It was Judge Garzon who called for General Pinochet to be detained on a private visit to Britain in 1998.

Some 2,500 business leaders are due at the IoD conference on Wednesday, where Dr Kissinger was due to speak at 11.45am BST.

Speeches from international political figures and business leaders at the convention can be viewed live using BBC News Online's video stream.