RIBBLE Valley MP Nigel Evans has condemned the "mindless violence" and "anarchy" perpetrated by anti-capitalist demonstrators in London.

More than 3,000 protesters turned the streets of Westminster into a battlefield, vandalising statues, smashing windows and attacking police to deliver their message of 'reclaiming the streets'.

Mr Evans has hit out at the protesters, calling themselves guerilla gardeners, who defaced Winston Churchill's statue and covered the Cenotaph in graffiti saying that it "shows the depravity that those who choose to ignore the democratic process will stoop to".

He said: "The violent demonstrations that took place in London on Monday were an absolute disgrace. Those that took part clearly have no respect for the rule of law and by their actions have decided that they wish to play no part in the democratic traditions of this country. "We have witnessed the blatant vandalism of both Winston Churchill's statue in Parliament, the Cenotaph remembering those that have died in the world wars and the digging up of Parliament Square.

"Never again should this be allowed to happen."

Mr Evans added that organisers of the demonstration, against big businesses, said it would be a peaceful protest.

"Many people will now have little sympathy with the views of those who terrorised the streets of London. Under the guise of anti-capitalism stands the creed of violent and mindless protest. What we witnessed was an affront to our democracy and a celebration of anarchy," he added.