Lords back higher university fees

Labour will try to block the government’s proposals on student tuition fees in the Lords

Controversial government plans to raise university tuition fees in England to as much as £9,000 a year are to be debated by peers.

There were violent clashes between protesters and police as the Commons voted on the proposals last Thursday.

An internal police investigation is under way after one protester alleged officers pulled him from his wheelchair.

Jody McIntyre, who has cerebral palsy, is considering a formal complaint.

A video of Mr McIntyre apparently being wrenched from his wheelchair and onto the street by police has appeared on Youtube.

He told the BBC: “One of the police officers come running over towards me.

“He tipped me out of my wheelchair on to the road and then dragged me by my arms from the middle over to the side of the road.

“There is no way you can classify me as a physical threat when I am sitting in my wheelchair not doing anything.”

Scotland Yard said the issue had been referred to the Directorate of Professional Standards, an internal body that examines officers’ conduct.

Video shows Jody McIntyre being pulled from his wheelchair

In the Lords’ vote, Labour peers will have to overturn a coalition majority of 40 to have a chance of blocking the government’s education proposals.

If Labour is successful, the government would have to to delay any increase in fees until after wider public consultation and a White Paper on higher education funding.

Labour’s leader in the Lords, Baroness Royall, said: “Labour opposed the government’s policy in the Commons last week, and Labour will oppose the government’s policy in the Lords this week.

“Regrettably, we were not successful in the Commons last week in preventing the government pressing ahead with its proposals for draconian cuts in the funding of higher education and a consequent massive rise in students’ tuition fees.

“We will have a tough fight in the Lords to prevent the government from going ahead with its plans, but we will fight to the last to do so.”

The Metropolitan Police said it had been liaising with counterparts in Northern Ireland over using water cannon in the future, but there were “no current plans” to use them.

Home Secretary Theresa May said water cannon were not currently approved by the government for use in England and Wales.

She said: “I don’t think anybody wants to see water cannon used on the streets of Britain.”

Mrs May also told MPs that a police report into an attack by protesters on a car carrying the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall was due on Friday.

The royal couple’s Rolls-Royce had a window smashed as they were caught up in the trouble on their way to an engagement.

A review is also under way by the Independent Police Complaints Commission after 43 protesters were injured, one seriously.

Student Alfie Meadows, 20, needed brain surgery after allegedly being hit with a police baton and knocked unconscious.

Mrs May told the Commons that 30 officers were injured and six were taken to hospital.

She said there had been 35 arrests so far, but could not give figures on how many had been charged.

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