Bush 'not welcome', says war vet

'Iraq war is a repeat of Vietnam', says Mr Kovic

Vietnam veteran Ron Kovic led British anti-war demonstrators to Downing Street to protest against the imminent visit by President George Bush.

Peace campaigner Mr Kovic's story inspired the Hollywood film Born on the 4th of July, starring Tom Cruise.

On Monday he handed in a petition signed by 100,000 people stating that Mr Bush was not welcome in the UK and should not have been invited.

"What we are seeing is a repeat of the Vietnam nightmare," said Mr Kovic.

The event came as security in London was tightened to an unprecedented level ahead of Mr Bush's arrival on Tuesday and demonstrations which are expected to attract tens of thousands of people.

'Misguided' war

Mr Kovic was joined in Downing Street by left-winger Jeremy Corbyn and Glasgow Kelvin MP George Galloway, who was expelled from the Labour Party over his outspoken opposition to the war.

Mr Kovic, who is wheelchair-bound as a result of his war injuries, said he wanted to send the message to Mr Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair that the war was "misguided and wrong".

"What we are doing with the petition is essentially making a statement to President Bush that this war is terribly wrong.

"It is terribly misguided. It must end. This war was misconceived from the start."