Senior police and politicians met yesterday to finalise details for the funeral of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher after fears surfaced that numerous groups planned to disrupt the procession with parties celebrating her death.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed they were meeting representatives from Number 10 and the Home Office, as well as their counterparts at the City of London Police, to put the finishing touches to a plan that has been years in the making.
An event celebrating Thatcher's death is planned for tomorrow at Trafalgar Square, the scene of arguably the worst rioting of her tenure as Prime Minister. And there have been reports that the funeral procession itself will be disrupted by those who opposed Thatcher.
The police have said they are determined to protect the rights of those wishing to pay their respects, as well as those of the people wishing to hold parties, but officers ruled out the use of rubber bullets and water cannon in the event of any trouble.