Clegg denies police rift over riots

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg tours Manchester after the riots in the city
12 April 2012

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has denied rumours of a rift between the Government and police over handling of the riots.

Mr Clegg was visiting Manchester, where more than 100 premises in the city and nearby Salford were damaged and looted during disturbances on Tuesday night.

The Deputy Prime Minister visited Olive Delicatessen in Whitworth Street, a family-run cafe and deli.

He said: "There is no rift between the police and the Government, we fully support the police 100%.

"They have done a brilliant job in really difficult circumstances.

"The police themselves have said they want to review what happened and look at tactics and learn lessons."

Prime Minister David Cameron played down tensions after senior officers hit back at criticism of their response to the crisis.

Mr Clegg added: "These were very fast events, they were unpredictable and they were unpredicted.

"But nobody is sitting there as an armchair general trying to second-guess tactical decisions which the police have to take in very difficult circumstances."

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