McDonald to Be Protester Target

Demonstrators opposed to Chinese government policy are to target Sir Trevor McDonald and other high-profile figures when the Beijing Olympic torch relay arrives in London next month.

The torch relay, which began its round-the-world journey amid pro-Tibet protests in Greece on Monday, is expected to be greeted by thousands of demonstrators when it reaches London on April 6. The majority have pledged to protest peacefully against China's occupation of Tibet, and the violent suppression of demonstrations in Lhasa and adjoining states in recent weeks that campaigners estimate have left 130 dead. Some groups, however, are intent on disrupting the torch's progress through London, and McDonald is among a number of celebrities and Olympians singled out by those groups intent on making their point forcefully.

At least one anti-China protest group is intent on breaching security and getting protesters close to ITN newscaster McDonald and other celebrities when they are carrying the torch. The Olympic gold medalists Sir Steve Redgrave and Dame Kelly Holmes are believed to be other high-profile targets. The groups believe that by focusing on such individuals they will be able to make their point more effectively than by holding mass demonstrations away from the direct path of the torch.

The Metropolitan Police is staging a massive operation to prevent the relay being interrupted, something that would be a significant embarrassment to the UK, given London's role as the next Olympic host. More than 2,000 officers will be deployed on the route, with air, marine and mounted support.