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The Queen arrives for today's slavery service at Westminster Abbey (Pic: PA)
A protester interrupted the service to mark the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the Slave Trade Act today.
Toyin Agbetu brought proceedings to a halt when he ran in front of the altar shouting "you should be ashamed" and "this is an insult to us".
The Queen and Prime Minister Tony Blair were among those attending the commemoration in Westminster Abbey.
Security guards rushed forward to apprehend the 39-year-old, who shouted "let go of me", before being escorted outside several minutes later.
Once outside he was restrained by police.
Mr Agbetu was surrounded at one point by seven bodyguards and two Abbey ushers as they attempted to control him.
He shouted: "We should not be here, this is an insult to us. I want all the Christians who are Africans to walk out."
Outside, Mr Agbetu demanded that the Queen apologise for her ancestors' role in supporting the slave trade.
"The Queen has to say sorry. It was Elizabeth I. She commanded John Hawkins to take his ship. The monarch and the Government and the church are all in there patting themselves on the back."
He said he was from the Ligali Organisation and said he planned the protest in advance.
He added: "This nation has never apologised, there was no mention of the African freedom fighters. This is just a memorial of William Wilberforce."
Copyright Press Association 2007.
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