Police Swore

Others ran into the nave, pursued by shouting policemen. Rows of chairs collapsed, the police swore, but the students continued to run, dodging behind pillars.

Some fled up the chancel steps, through the choir towards the High Altar and the Sanctuary, in the belief that they would be safe here, beyond the giant Archbishops throne, which was once part of the organ screen in England's historic 'Westminster Abbey.

At least two policeman followed them up here. One of the students was punched and beaten as he scrambled over the choir stalls, and he was followed up to the Sanctuary as he made for the High Altar.

He was dragged by the hair as he called out 'I haven't done anything.' He was dragged over the small stone which hears nothing but the name office and dates of birth and death of Archlbishop Geoffrey Clayton, whose ashes were inerred here in accordance with his wishes to be buried in a place where there was no colour bar.

This student was pushed out to the side door to the police on the steps outside, where he was again beaten. Other policemen near the font were dragging students out to the door, and batons were used on them.

One assault took place in the nave of the cathedral.

It was at this point that Canon R. M. Jeffrey, senior chaplain to the Archiboshop, heard screams coming from within the cathedral and came through the north transept. Police were dragging students past him out the door to those who waited outside to assault them.

Canon Jeffery made himself known to the man who appeared to him to be the senior uniformed man present and ordered the police out of his church. A minute later the police had left the cathedral, but students who tried to get out any of the doors were still attacked.