UK Election: Anti-austerity protest erupts in London

RIOT police have clashed with frustrated crowds during spontaneous anti-austerity protests in London against the new Tory Government.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 09: Anti-government protestors are surrounded by police officers during a protest on Whitehall on May 9, 2015 in London, England. After the United Kingdom went to the polls on Thursday the Conservative party were confirmed as the winners of a closely fought general election which has returned David Cameron as Prime Minister with a slender majority for his party. (Photo by Rob Stothard/Getty Images)

RIOT police have clashed with frustrated crowds during spontaneous anti-austerity protests in London against the new Tory Government.

Four police officers and a member of police staff were injured during the protests outside Downing Street just a day after David Cameron declared victory at the ballot boxes.

Four people have been arrested for public order offences and a fifth for assaulting a police officer.

Police officers restrain a demonstrator during a protest at Parliament Square. Pic: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images.

Meanwhile, damage caused to The Women of World War II monument on Whitehall, just a stone’s throw from a VE Day celebration concert at London’s Horse Guards Parade, was condemned by Downing Street as “despicable”.

The words “f*** Tory scum” were scrawled in red near the bottom of the large memorial.

A Downing Street spokesman said: “Spraying graffiti on war memorials is a despicable display of disrespect for those who fought and died for their country, particularly at a time when the whole nation comes together to commemorate the 70th anniversary of VE Day.”