Anger as protest closes Whitehall

Police moving in to quell the fighting

A Conservative MP has protested about the closure of Whitehall following a violent clash between 300 Eritrean demonstrators and their Ethiopian rivals outside Downing Street on Friday.

Bournemouth West's John Butterfill said MPs had been "impeded" in reaching the House of Commons by the protest outside and called for a statement from Home Secretary Jack Straw.

In a point of order, Mr Butterfill said: "For most of this morning, the whole of Whitehall has been totally blocked by a violent demonstration.

"Members have been impeded from reaching this House. Access to ministerial and Members' offices has been impeded and access to Downing Street has been impeded."

He asked Deputy Speaker Sir Alan Haselhurst: "Have you had any request from the home secretary to make a statement as to why Whitehall has not been cleared."

Sir Alan said there had been no request to make a statement. "I am aware of the difficulties that have been caused for Members. I naturally regret that.

"I understand that currently the problem has been confined to Parliament Street and all efforts are being made now by the police to clear that."

The protest was raised in the Commons after about 150 officers intervened as stones were thrown by rival groups of protesters during ugly scenes in which some people were injured and others arrested.

Three people were taken to hospital.