London police on Wednesday made several arrests as a student protest against tuition fees that attracted thousands led to a group trying to force its way into a government building. "A small group of protesters threw paint outside the Home Office and another group attempted to push their way into the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) building but were prevented by police," said a statement from the Metropolitan Police.
"During this spell, a small number of smoke bombs and eggs were thrown at police outside BIS. Officers have made a number of arrests for public order offences." Footage showed masked protesters breaking through a police line and chanting: "What do we want? Free education. When do we want it? Now." Students at the central London protest called for the end of fees and challenged plans to scrap maintenance grants and replace them with loans. They were addressed by the opposition Labour Party's finance spokesman John McDonnell, who accused the government of "betraying" students.