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A UNIVERSITY has launched an investigation after security guards and police clashed with student protesters outside a lecture by David Willetts.

Student leaders at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) say they will meet with university bosses today (Thursday) to condemn policing tactics at the demonstration, which took place on Monday night outside the Brunei Gallery where Universities Minister Mr Willetts was speaking.
 

Six people were arrested for public order offences amid chaotic scenes on the Bloomsbury campus. The protest continued later for several hours outside Holborn Police Station, where  police dogs and a line of officers stood in front of the main doors.

The Brunei Gallery had been hired out by think tank Longview for a private function addressed by Mr Willetts, the minister in charge of higher education. Large numbers of students from other universities turned up to voice opposition to tuition fee hikes after reading about the event on Facebook.

A SOAS spokeswoman said: “We understand that there was a peaceful demonstration outside the Brunei Gallery when Mr Willetts arrived, but shortly thereafter a significant number of people forcibly entered the Brunei Gallery and tried to gain access to the lecture theatre against the wishes of those organising the event. It was at this point that matters deteriorated, which led to police intervention.”

She said some university staff had complained of being kicked and punched by those trying to enter the gallery.

The police claimed activists chained exits shut using bike locks.
 

Students and University and College Union (UCU) representatives have insisted they were protesting peacefully and that they were treated too roughly by police as well as university security guards.

Photographs and video footage uploaded within hours of the fracas show protesters with cuts and bruises, and last night (Wednesday) SOAS management confirmed they were investigating what had happened. 

Jasper Kain. co-president of the SOAS Students Union, said: “We are calling for the charges against the defendants to be dropped and for the police to reassess their use of heavy-handed tactics.” 

UCU branches at Birkbeck, the Institute of Education and SOAS complained that “disproportionate force” had been used. A SOAS spokeswoman said: “None of us can be happy about these events, and police intervention is not what we wish to see on our campus. Although this was an external event, the school was still responsible for the safety of those attending. The police only became involved once it had become apparent that the situation had deteriorated beyond our control.”
 

A Camden police spokeswoman said: “There were 100-plus demonstrators present during the day and a group of them forced their way past police and security staff into the building, locking fire exits with cycle locks causing a serious health and safety risk. 

“Five police officers sustained injuries during the incident, suffering mainly cuts and bruises, including one officer who was struck with a bottle. 

“Further police officers were required to maintain control and ensure the safety of all those present. Protesters subsequently attended Holborn Police Station and at times attempted to force entry.”

•  Daniel Beaman, 23, of Cambridgeshire, will appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on June 30, charged with a public order-related offence.