UK Uncut protest targets Deputy PM Nick Clegg's Putney home Published duration 26 May 2012

media caption UK Uncut's Tim Street: "The cuts must stop. Austerity isn't working"

Hundreds of anti-cuts campaigners have staged a "street party" protest outside Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg's home in south-west London.

Disabled activists from UK Uncut chained their wheelchairs at both ends of the street in Putney where he lives.

The group said it targeted Mr Clegg as he was "one of the architects of austerity". His spokesman said people had a right to peaceful protest.

Police said there were no arrests at the protest which ended peacefully.

'Out-of-touch millionaires'

UK Uncut, which has previously targeted high profile people it believes are avoiding paying tax, said it was now targeting politicians.

Jean Sandler, 42, a UK Uncut supporter, said: "Nick Clegg is one of the architects of austerity; he's a millionaire and lives in a £1m home.

"The cuts are a political choice of this government and the cabinet of out-of-touch millionaires, they are not necessary.

"These cruel cuts are designed to destroy our public services, the NHS, the welfare state and our future. The cuts are getting personal and so are our protests."

Protesters put up bunting along the street and some were joined by their children.

They playing music while others shared a picnic and the mood was described as relaxed.

One of the protesters, Simon Hope, said: "I came to this protest because I think the government is trying to use the Jubilee next weekend to distract people from the cuts and the tough times people are facing.

"It's brilliant that the party is on Nick Clegg's road because he and the rest of the government are not listening to us, our petitions, our vigils or our marches."

image caption Protesters said Nick Clegg was a "millionaire" who "lives in a £1m home"

Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services union, backed the protesters' saying: "We applaud their innovative and inspirational action that takes the campaign right to the doorsteps of those responsible.

"We would like to see more of this kind of community campaigning, linking up with unions, arguing for the alternative to spending cuts, for investment to improve our public services and to protect our communities from what this arrogant government is trying to do."

But Louise Mensch, the Conservative MP for Corby and East Northamptonshire, took to Twitter to describe the demonstration as "intolerable bullying".

She tweeted: "I would normally never do this. I am Tory to the marrow of my bones.

"But how about £5 to the LibDems today?

"If you believe targeting home & family of a politician you disagree with is intolerable bullying - £5 for Nick Clegg."

The group said street parties were held in Bournemouth, Crawley, Derby, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Nottingham, Sheffield and York.