Lone Protester Distrupts Slave Service at Westminister Abbey Attended by Queen.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has described slavery as an offence to human dignity and freedom in a sermon at Westminster Abbey.

At a service marking 200 years of the Act to abolish the slave trade, Dr Williams said it was "the greatest cause of grief to God's spirit".

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, Tony Blair and religious leaders are among a 2,000-strong congregation.

The event was briefly disrupted by a man, shouting: "You should be ashamed."

The disturbance ended when the lone man was led out of the abbey.

The service is being broadcast live on BBC One and BBC Radio 4 and commemorates the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act which became law in March 1807.

'Ravaged communities'

Dr Williams told the congregation that slavery was not a regional problem in the world, but was "hideously persistent" in our nations and cultures.

"We, who are the heirs of the slave-owning and slave-trading nations of the past, have to face the fact that our historic prosperity was built in large part on this atrocity," he said.

"Those who are the heirs of the communities ravaged by the slave trade know very well that much of their present suffering and struggling is the result of centuries of abuse."

Earlier, Lady Kate Davson, the great-great-great grand-daughter of William Wilberforce, a leading abolitionist, read a speech made by her ancestor to the House of Commons.

A minute's silence will be followed by the sounding of horns traditionally used to warn of slave trader raids.

The Queen is expected to lay flowers on the memorial to William Wilberforce, who led the abolition movement, and the Innocent Victims' Memorial, in honour of all those affected by slavery.

To conclude the national service, all 10 bells at the abbey will ring out, with 200 tolls of the tenor bell to mark the 200th anniversary of the Act of Parliament.

'Sorrow and regret'

Linda Ali, of the United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, said the day was about returning dignity to the slaves and acknowledging their contribution to the British economy.

She also called on Tony Blair who has expressed "deep sorrow and regret" at Britain's role in the slave trade, to go a step further.

"I don't see what is so very difficult about apologising for what is such a great crime against humanity," said Ms Ali.

Lady Davson said she too thought Mr Blair should apologise.

"Slavery is one of the largest pieces of our wounded history, our worldwide wounded history, and...[has] to be confronted in order to get peace in our world."

The prime minister is not expected to speak at the service.

His deputy, John Prescott, will unveil a newly-restored memorial fountain to anti-slavery campaigner Thomas Fowell Buxton at Victoria Tower Gardens in London.

Among the senior politicians to attend the event were Chancellor Gordon Brown, London Mayor Ken Livingstone, Home Secretary John Reid and Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell.

On Saturday, thousands of people joined Dr Williams and the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, for a "walk of witness" in London to mark the anniversary.
[link to news.bbc.co.uk]