Politicians make issue of riot

Press, 24 April 1979, Page 8

Politicians make issue of riot

NZPA London, The British Home Secretary (Mr Merlyn Rees) has been asked to intervene in the wake of the violent, clashes tit a National Front rally in the centre of Leicester on Saturday.

A lory candidate called; on Mr Rees to mount an im-l mediate investigation to find] out who planned the “antiNazi” ambush, and a Labour; candidate urged him to issue, new guidance to chief con-! stables.

Dozens of people, including 25 policemen, were injured.

The violence flared as the Front members began their march to an election meeting at a local school.

I The police escort was showered with bricks, explosive flares, and other missiles by Left-wing supporters of the Anti-Nazi League hiding behind hoardings on waste ground. There were more violent clashes around the school. Afterwards, the Leicestershire Chief Constable (Mr Alan Goodson) defended his decision to allow the rally to go ahead, claiming there would have been violence even if he had banned it. Arthur Latham, chairman of the Greater London Labour Party, who is defend-] ing his seat at Paddington,! said: “Mr Rees should issue' new guidance to chief con-] stables. He should tell them! that British soldiers did not; fight in two world wars so l

\ that Nazis could march in (Britain. “Mr Goodson should be told that the kind of thing that happened in Leicester was serious public disorder land he must not pretend that he avoided it by the massing of police there.” Meanwhile, George Gardiner, who is defending Reigate for the Conservatives, said: “The Home Secretary should order an immediate inquiry into which organisations were behind the anti-Nazi ambush in Leicester. “This should also cover! the 30 or more Labour exM.Ps and candidates in this election who openly back] the anti-Nazis, which actively encouraged this confrontation.”