Cooke protestors storm out on Ashdown

Marchers made their way peacefully to the Ashdown meeting

Protesters stormed out of a meeting with Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown after he failed to ease their concerns over the whereabouts of child sex killer Sidney Cooke.

Around 100 people marched on his party headquarters in Yeovil, Somerset, to hand Mr Ashdown, their local MP, a petition calling for action over the 71-year-old paedophile.

Ashdown: call for calm

The protest was peaceful but the marchers were angry at his comments warning against the growing "hysteria" over Cooke.

Mr Ashdown had agreed the demonstrators could end their march with a question and answer session in a hall at the Liberal Democrat Club.

He assured them that Cooke remained in a secure police station somewhere in the region covered by the Avon and Somerset force, although the authorities refuse to say which one.

But the MP said protest marches were holding back attempts to find long-term accommodation for Cooke who was freed this month after serving nine years for the manslaughter of 14-year-old Jason Swift.

After several angry exchanges in which Mr Ashdown was accused of "not listening" and being "pompous", the protesters walked out of the hall.

Deborah Spencer, a mother of two who organised the meeting, was near tears as she told the crowd outside that the campaign would continue.

"The walk-out came about because he has no answers for us.

"We want him to speak up for us. It is just unbelievable. We are going to keep up the campaign to be heard," Mrs Spencer added.

Week of protest

Saturday's march was the culmination of daily protests since last weekend when Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that Cooke was being held in their area.

Spontaneous demonstrations took place in Bridgwater, Minehead, Yeovil and Bristol.

They were largely peaceful, but a protest outside a police station in Bristol on Thursday night turned into a riot when it was rumoured that Cooke was inside.

Cooke: location unknown

Paddy Ashdown has called for calm to allow a multi-agency group to formulate long-term residence plans for Cooke, who had asked to be allowed to settle in the area.

Following the walk-out he stressed he would not support any action involving "mob hysteria".

"These are decent people who, in my view, are misinformed, although they have genuine fears," said Mr Ashdown.