Intifada
28th September 2005, 17:59
Labour conference organisers are facing complaints they were too heavy handed in throwing out an 82-year-old heckler.
Walter Wolfgang, from London, was ejected from the hall after shouting "nonsense" as Foreign Secretary Jack Straw defended Iraq policy.
Delegate Carol Hayton protested during a later debate that Mr Wolfgang had been "manhandled".
She was told conference organisers were investigating the incident and would report on Thursday.
A man sitting next to Mr Wolfgang was also thrown out after complaining about his treatment.
A Labour Party spokesman said: "Following a disturbance in the visitors' balcony, two people were escorted out, having been asked three times to be quiet."
Debate blocked
Ms Hayton told Sir Jeremy Beecham, who was chairing the session: "We are very concerned about the way in which a gentleman of over 80 was manhandled from the balcony.
"Perhaps more appropriate action could have been taken, but this was an 80-year-old gentleman and I am sure that Jack Straw, a politician of great experience, is able to deal with events of this kind without that kind of response from our stewards."
Labour MP Linda Riordan branded the treatment "very heavy-handed".
The Halifax MP's attempt to have Iraq debated at the conference was earlier blocked.
Mr Wolfgang shouted out as Mr Straw told delegates: "We are in Iraq for one reason only to help the elected Iraqi government build a secure, democratic and stable nation."
The party member of 57 years' standing told the BBC 2's Daily Conference Live programme: "These two toughies came round and wanted to manhandle me out.
"I said: 'Do you want me to leave? I will leave, you don't need to manhandle me.' Physically, I am not too well, so I said I would follow them.
"Most of the Labour Party stewards are very nice people. One or two people lend themselves to this nonsense.
"It makes me feel that the people who resort to these tactics are very unsure of themselves and they are on the losing side."
BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4291388.stm)
Walter Wolfgang, from London, was ejected from the hall after shouting "nonsense" as Foreign Secretary Jack Straw defended Iraq policy.
Delegate Carol Hayton protested during a later debate that Mr Wolfgang had been "manhandled".
She was told conference organisers were investigating the incident and would report on Thursday.
A man sitting next to Mr Wolfgang was also thrown out after complaining about his treatment.
A Labour Party spokesman said: "Following a disturbance in the visitors' balcony, two people were escorted out, having been asked three times to be quiet."
Debate blocked
Ms Hayton told Sir Jeremy Beecham, who was chairing the session: "We are very concerned about the way in which a gentleman of over 80 was manhandled from the balcony.
"Perhaps more appropriate action could have been taken, but this was an 80-year-old gentleman and I am sure that Jack Straw, a politician of great experience, is able to deal with events of this kind without that kind of response from our stewards."
Labour MP Linda Riordan branded the treatment "very heavy-handed".
The Halifax MP's attempt to have Iraq debated at the conference was earlier blocked.
Mr Wolfgang shouted out as Mr Straw told delegates: "We are in Iraq for one reason only to help the elected Iraqi government build a secure, democratic and stable nation."
The party member of 57 years' standing told the BBC 2's Daily Conference Live programme: "These two toughies came round and wanted to manhandle me out.
"I said: 'Do you want me to leave? I will leave, you don't need to manhandle me.' Physically, I am not too well, so I said I would follow them.
"Most of the Labour Party stewards are very nice people. One or two people lend themselves to this nonsense.
"It makes me feel that the people who resort to these tactics are very unsure of themselves and they are on the losing side."
BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4291388.stm)