Security for Bush will shut centre of London

[babylonsister]

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23494613-details/Security%20for%20Bush%20will%20shut%20centre%20of%20London/article.do?expand=true#StartComments

Security for Bush will shut centre of London
Rob Singh, Crime Reporter
13.06.08


One of Britain's biggest security operations will bring central London to a standstill for the arrival of George Bush on Sunday.

About 2,000 police - including hundreds of armed officers - will be deployed for the US president's brief visit. Parts of Whitehall between Trafalgar Square and Parliament Square will be shut to traffic for more than 24 hours as the huge land and air operation swings into force.

Hundreds of demonstrators from the Stop the War Coalition will converge on Parliament Square from 5pm on Sunday to protest against the president, who is visiting London as part of a farewell tour of Europe before he leaves the White House next January.

snip//

Today it emerged that hundreds of thousands of air passengers face delays because of the president's arrival at Heathrow. Disruption is likely to begin today as staff prepare for the arrival of Mr Bush and his entourage of seven aircraft on Sunday.

Yesterday, passengers were delayed for up to an hour after air space over Heathrow was cleared to allow a military cargo plane carrying armoured cars to land at nearby RAF Northolt.

Today four helicopters will land as part of a major rehearsal. Sources at the airport said the aircraft "flow rate" would be reduced from the usual 42 planes an hour to 24, causing an aircraft backlog of up to seven hours. On Sunday delays will be worse.

[dipsydoodle]

1. I like the note from - Janine, London

She wrote :

Isn't it outrageous that even post-puppy dog Blair we still have to endure this idiot's presence with all the disruption and expense that this unwanted exercise will entail?

I agree, I hope Bo-Jo does charge the U.S. for this, especially as this ghastly little man has already cost our country immense cost in both lives, taxes and probably is at least partly responsible for the general downturn in our economy! Illegal wars are expensive shows of vanity and ignorance.. and we ALL keep paying!

I thought she summed it up quite well. BTW - Bo-Jo refers to Boris Johnson. The whole issue is hardly likely to change anyones views of The Dimson. I'd like to know who's paying for all this not that affects me - I'm not in the GLC area.

Has he changed the family motto to Veni Vidi Pwni ?

[madeline_con]

2. "... this ghastly little man ..."

Cheers, Janine! :toast:

[dipsydoodle]

4. Yes don't we use quaint expressions over here

I obvioulsy don't know who Janine is but I guess she'd fit in well here on DU.

[thecrow]

3. The Murkin taxpayer to the rescue!

again :(

[Oeditpus Rex]

5. 'ghastly'

Dog, I love the Brits. :D

[flvegan]

6. Farewell tour? When did he become Paul McCartney?

[dana_b]

8. LOL

does that make Cheney Linda McCartney?

The Brits should not have to pay for that. It's also absurd that a large part of London is shut down for this ass. They don't even want him there. I'm sure we'll be seeing some great protest pictures soon. :)

[flvegan]

9. And London is a commuting nightmare as is.

Love your sig line, btw.

[dana_b]

10. thanks -

two of my favorite public people all rolled into one line. :D

[lonestarnot]

7. crumpets and tea, taxpayers drowning in many more ways than one.

fiddle on Garth.

[Contrary1]

11. "entourage of seven aircraft"

Ridiculous.

[az chela]

12. Why bother to protect him,if he get hurt it will save

the US money to try him for treason.He isnt worth the powder to blow him to hell