'Mutual distrust' and poor communication led to G20 clashes

THE 'very poor' communication between the police and G20 protestors could have led to officers taking a more 'heavy handed' approach than they otherwise would have, a group of MPs has concluded.

In a report released today, MPs on the Joint Select Committee on Human Rights said there was 'mutual distrust' between protestors and the police in the run-up to the 1 April protests in London and they called for independent negotiators to try to improve communication in the future.

They said: 'We see merit in using independent negotiators to facilitate dialogue between police and protestors where the parties encounter difficulties in communicating directly. Such negotiators could also help resolve disputes.'