nick clegg was invited to give the 7th 'hugo young' lecture by the electoral and parliamentary reform campaigning group 'unlock democracy'.
his appearance attracted a protest of more than a hundred people angry at mr clegg's complete about turn on his electoral promises relating to education cuts.

nick clegg was due to appear at the king's place hall behind king's cross at 7pm tonight. the lecture was organised by 'unlock democracy', which campaigns for an elected upper house, a written constitution, a review and changes to the voting system, and more accountability and scrutiny of prerogative powers. the campaign is a successor to the 'charter 88' group who helped set the agenda for reforms to the human rights act, freedom of information, and scottish devolution.

from 6pm a crowd gathered outside to protest at the complete abandonment of lib-dem policies now that the party has seized a share of power in the con-dem coalition. some of the protestors were organisers from the 'coalition of resistance' campaign which is holding a day-long conference in camden on saturday.

at the front of the building, a dozen or so police watched over the crowd as they chanted, set off a smoke bomb, and hanged an effigy of nick clegg.

however, round the corner there were several vans of tsg police, and a back way in to the hall. at about half past six, two jaguar cars slipped in the back entrance and nick clegg emerged from one of the cars as the gates closed.

too late, the protestors ran round to the back of the building, to be greeted by a dozen tsg officers guarding the gates. more spirited chanting continued.

meanwhile, those attending the lecture walked through the front entrance and into the building without hindrance.