MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

A week of protests in London to mark the G20 summit

Kenny wants G20 to address jobs, public services, global poverty

Thousands of people are preparing to take part in a huge march for “jobs, justice and climate” ahead of a week of protests in London to mark the G20 summit amid anger at the £19 million cost of staging the conference.

Foreign Office minister Lord Malloch-Brown disclosed the figure, adding that a lot of the money would be spent on security because of the number of high profile leaders travelling to the capital for the April 2 event.

Organisers of some of the dozens of protests being held to coincide with the summit criticised the cost, with one accusing the politicians of failing to tackle the recession or wars raging in countries including Afghanistan.

Police leave in London has been cancelled for the summit amid Scotland Yard warnings that some campaigners were planning disruptions around the City's Square Mile.

A professor said to be masterminding “mayhem” for next week was suspended by his university after he warned bankers could be “hanging from lampposts”.

The University of East London confirmed a “full investigation” was launched following warnings of violence from Chris Knight, 66, from Lewisham, south London.

The Put People First march will be held in Central London on Saturday, organised by an unprecedented alliance of 150 groups, including unions, charities, environmental campaigners, development and faith organisations.

Thousands will march to Hyde Park for a rally with speakers and entertainment including Luke Pritchard of the Kooks, comedian Mark Thomas and Mauritanian musician, Daby Toure. An ecumenical church service will feed into the march from Central Hall Westminster.

Paul Kenny, leader of the GMB union said: “GMB wants jobs, public services, no global poverty or inequality and a green economy to slow climate change. If the G20 listens and begins to take action GMB will see it as progress.”

Glen Tarman, who has helped organise the march, said he had no evidence that anyone intended to break the law or commit acts of violence.