Placards and peace missions

Police move protesters before Tony Blair's arrival

by BBC Wales News Online's Edward Hart

It was a mixed crowd that had gathered in and around the National Assembly for Wales to welcome the prime minister to Cardiff Bay.

Immediately outside the assembly, the soft melody of Cwm Rhondda rose on the wind from the lips of a gathering of tuneful protestors.

Around 50 protesters were moved by police

Their dulcet tone belied their determined intent, which was not to welcome Mr Blair with a display of Welsh singing.

Instead, as their placards showed, to remind him that "two wrongs never make a right", and that he was mistaken if he believed the campaign in Afghanistan had the unanimous approval of the people of Wales.

Police decided that the demonstration should be moved, in order to allow safe access to the building for Mr Blair.

The protestors resisted.

"Its our Assembly, he's the guest. Let us welcome him the way we want to!" shouted one. Scuffles ensued.

David Morris, 70, was removed from the scene by two policemen, despite his claim that the group had been "given permission to be there by a police inspector".

Officers were praised for 'professionalism'

Having been frogmarched away from the scene, Mr Morris later said he had not been hurt and that the police had "conducted themselves very professionally".

A member of the Labour Party who had been an MEP in 1999, he added: "I don't intend on giving Mr Blair the pleasure of seeing me out of the party."

In the midst of the excitement, while the wind blew more strongly still and as the hour for the prime minister's arrival approached, a crowd formed on the steps of an office building opposite the assembly.

Were they also here to welcome the prime minister to Cardiff on the day of his inaugural address?

Not exactly. In fact they were waiting for a bus to take them to a training course outside the city.

The police left them to congregate unhindered: they posed no threat to Mr Blair's safety.

The calm after the storm

Inside the assembly, everyday life did its best to continue.

In the Milling Area, Dr Alun Jones, Chief Executive of the Institute of Physics, addressed a gathering of delegates.

He warned that the lack of qualified physics teachers posed a threat to the future economy of Wales.

His audience nodded earnestly.

It is possible, however, that few heard him as chattering journalists swept by following in the wake of cameramen, Assembly Members and their assistants, all eagerly anticipating Tony Blair's arrival.

Outside the protestors had by now been moved to a corner far from the door Mr Blair was to use.

Some feared this would make their welcome appear impersonal. This did nothing to dampen enthusiasm.

"After all," said Mr Roshan Kissoon and Mr Adam Johannes, "we're professional protestors."