A VETERAN campaigner has given a first-hand account of Saturday’s government protests in London.

Terry Hutt, a frequent activist for public rights, travelled to the capital from his home in Whaddon to take part in the organised March for the Alternative protests.

Mr Hutt, 75, said the demonstrations went well despite some scenes of violence.

“I arrived at about 9am and teamed up with disabled and pensioners groups at Embankment,” he said.

“We then went to Hyde Park to get a spot at the front to wait for the speeches. Ed Milliband spoke well as did union leaders like Dave Prentis from Unison.

“I was interviewed by three television channels and had my photo taken with lots of fellow protesters, and there was a good atmosphere.

“After the crowds had left my wife rang me to say there was trouble in Trafalgar Square. I was on my way there at the time but I did a u-turn and went home instead. The violence isn’t for me”

“Unfortunately some people do go to look for trouble, but this is nothing but pure hooliganism in my opinion.”

Placards Mr Hutt displayed read ‘Fat Cats Get Away – Fairness? What a Joke’ and ‘Re-open the toilets now’ – in reference to the locked toilets at Royston Bus Station.

He was defiant that the day had a positive impact even though most media outlets focussed on the violent scenes.

“Protests make politicians and the rest of the public aware of the problems throughout the country,” he said.

“The cuts are too quick and they are damaging people’s lives. We know they are necessary but this is going to affect too many poor people too quickly.

“I was born in 1935 into a large, poor family and don’t want to go back to where I came from.”