March 'will be biggest anti-war gathering'

An anti-war demonstration in central London this weekend will be bigger than any previous protests against military intervention by Britain, its organisers said yesterday.

Leaders of the Stop the War Coalition said the turn-out on Saturday would reflect deep public unease at government backing for President George Bush's war plan.

It will be the second mass protest this month against government policy. It follows Sunday's Liberty and Livelihood march, which attracted more than 400,000 protesters to the capital.

The anti-war demonstration is backed by both Muslim and Christian groups.

Hundreds of coaches have been booked to bring activists to the march, which will start at Embankment at 12.30pm and go to Hyde Park via Whitehall, passing Downing Street.

Speakers in Hyde Park will include Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London, Labour MPs, trade union leaders and the Right Rev Peter Price, the Bishop of Bath and Wells.

The Labour backbencher Jeremy Corbyn, one of 56 rebels who expressed their opposition in a Commons vote on Tuesday, said:"Opposition to this war in this country is the most incredible coalition I have ever seen. You will see Christians, you will see Muslims, you will see the young and the old, trade unionists and peace campaigners ... We speak for the peace-loving people of this country."