After several speeches given by members of the crowd, noisy and enthusiastic chants broke out including “I’d rather be a Nutt than a Johnson” and “If you don’t like the message, don’t shoot the messenger”.

A comedy horse was also in attendance.

Support from passers by was strong and several people joined the protest after seeing the placards.

The protest had been called at very short notice by the Students For a Sensible Drugs Policy who have their first conference at Leeds University on 27 November – 29 November 2009.

With the ACMD due to meet in a few days to discuss their resonse to Nutt’s sacking this is a story that is not likely to go away soon.

Sign the petition at:  http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Back-Prof-Nutt/

Here’s some pics (decidedly average ones due to a borrowed camera, normal service will be resumed one day) - more pics at:  http://johnnyvoid.wordpress.com/