So much for free speech and democray - where did it go?

[Guest guest]

An 82-year-old Labour activist thrown out of the party's annual

conference by stewards for heckling Jack Straw has been invited to

return to the event.

Walter Wolfgang, of London, was ejected after shouting " nonsense " as

the foreign secretary defended Iraq policy.

 

Party chairman Ian McCartney later apologised to Mr Wolfgang, calling

the manner of his removal " inappropriate " .

 

The party now says he can return for the conference's final day

provided he does not make further disturbances.

 

BBC political correspondent Reeta Chakrabarti said the incident had

raised questions about over-zealous security and about stifling

debate.

 

" The sight of an old man being bundled out of the conference hall by

a group of muscular officials .....couldn't be more damaging, " the

correspondent said.

 

Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt criticised the way conference

officials had reacted.

 

" It was clearly an overreaction, a dreadful overreaction by stewards,

who were understandably concerned about security, " Ms Hewitt said.

 

" Obviously I hope the apology will be accepted, and just as

important, lessons learnt from it. "

 

Apology

 

Police stopped Mr Wolfgang under the Terrorism Act when he tried to

re-enter on Wednesday, seizing his pass.

 

Despite issuing an apology, Mr McCartney said Mr Wolfgang had

nevertheless misbehaved.

 

" He was asked to calm down and be quiet, he could have taken that

opportunity and watched and listened to the debate but he chose to

continually disturb the event and so we removed him, " Mr McCartney

said.

 

These two toughies came round and wanted to manhandle me out

 

Walter Wolfgang

 

 

MP's camera is seized

" Unfortunately in removing him he was removed inappropriately.

 

" I once again apologise to him, I will in writing apologise to him,

and if he wishes I will meet and apologise to him. "

 

Mr Wolfgang, who escaped Nazi Germany in 1937, is a member of the

Stop the War Coalition.

 

His heckle came as Mr Straw told delegates: " We are in Iraq for one

reason only - to help the elected Iraqi government build a secure,

democratic and stable nation. "

 

Manhandled

 

Mr Wolfgang, a Labour member of 57 years' standing, afterwards told

BBC Two's Daily Conference Live programme: " These two toughies came

round and wanted to manhandle me out.

 

" I said: 'Do you want me to leave? I will leave, you don't need to

manhandle me.' Physically, I am not too well, so I said I would

follow them.

 

" Most of the Labour Party stewards are very nice people. One or two

people lend themselves to this nonsense. "

 

Erith and Thamesmead constituency party chairman Steve Forrest, who

was sitting next to Mr Wolfgang, was also thrown out after

complaining about the stewards' response.

 

Sussex Police said: " The police officer attended and asked the man to

wait for a member of the Labour Party.

 

" We wish to stress that the delegate was not arrested or searched at

any point during his brief interaction with the police officer and

that it is a matter for the Labour Party to decide who they allow

into their conference. "

 

A Labour party spokesman said there would be " a full review of what

happened " .