Cheeky anarchists in palace protest

The event attracted more media than trouser-droppers

Four protesters have been arrested during an anti-monarchy demonstration outside Buckingham Palace.

Two men dropped their trousers in the Moon Against the Monarchy event which organisers had hoped would encourage a "2,000 bum salute" outside the palace.

The four, who were greeted with a round of applause as they bared their bottoms in front of puzzled tourists, were held at Charing Cross police station on Saturday afternoon.

The Queen was not in residence at the time.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said there was no scuffle and those arrested went peacefully.

He said: "It was a very low key event.

"We arrested four people, one drunk and disorderly, two breaches of the peace and one person was nicked for dropping his trousers."

Anarchist links

The demonstration was organised by the Movement Against the Monarchy (Ma'm) which wants to abolish the Royal family and has links with anarchists involved in the recent riots in London and Seattle.

"It is a protest to highlight the absurdity of the monarchy," said a Ma'm spokeswoman calling herself Laura Norda.

She said: "The monarchy is the most expensive soap opera in history.

"We hope to galvanise support from people who are against the monarchy and the British class system."

Police cordoned off the front of Buckingham Palace including the Queen Victoria Memorial.

The demonstration was good-natured despite aggressive posturing by Ma'm members on the group's website.

The group's previous activities have included a Hurry Up and Die sticker campaign against the Queen Mother, who will be 100 in August.