@aktuell:
Mayor calls for ban on march
Special report: Foot and mouth disease
Saturday February 24, 2001
The Guardian
Ken Livingstone, the mayor of London, yesterday called for a planned march through the capital to be cancelled because of the foot and mouth crisis.
London could become a breeding ground for the highly infectious virus if the demonstration on March 18, organised by the Countryside Alliance, goes ahead, he told the Metropolitan police commissioner, Sir John Stevens.
The alliance dismissed Mr Livingstone's fears as "scaremongering". But officials said they would cancel the demonstration if advised to do so by health authorities.
The march is likely to receive large support from country dwellers and many might be tempted to bring livestock into London, Mr Livingstone said.
Press Association