Police facing G20 protest challenge

Solicitors acting on behalf of protesters caught up in clashes at the G20 demonstrations have warned Scotland Yard of a legal challenge.

Experts have said they may bring a judicial review of police tactics such as "kettling" to contain people and excessive use of force.

Activists who staged the Bishopsgate climate camp want an explanation of how the Metropolitan Police handled the controversial City of London events last month.

They have also demanded that senior officers provide a legal basis for the practice of containing protesters in one place for extended periods of time.

A "pre-action" legal letter has been submitted on their behalf to Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson by solicitors at London law firm Bindmans.

A spokesman for the group said it explains they will have no option but to seek a judicial review unless the force addresses their concerns.

Protesters have singled out decisions to hold climate camp participants in one place for more than four hours and then to forcibly clear the road.

Solicitor John Halford said justification for "kettling" a peaceful demonstration remains "entirely opaque". He said no reason has been given as to why people were held for so long and it is not clear if the force used by police was "reasonable".

Several reviews and inquiries are already under way after a barrage of complaints of police brutality during the demonstrations.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is probing three allegations of violence by police officers and claims the media were misled by the Met. The most high-profile complaint followed the death of newspaper seller Ian Tomlinson after he was hit with a baton and pushed to the ground.