Demo solicitor raps press One of the solicitors representing activists arrested in last week's May Day protests in central London has attacked the 'hysterical and unfair' press coverage of the protesters and their lawyers, while another firm is considering a libel action.

Andrew Katzen, a partner at east London-based Moss & Co, said he was 'surprised and saddened' at a number of press articles that had appeared since the anti-capitalism protests last week, which harshly criticised protesters for seeking legal advice resulting from the activities.

The telephone number of Mr Katzen's firm, along with King's Cross-based John Blavo & Co, appeared on a flyer distributed at the protests by unqualified 'legal advisers', who were on hand to give immediate legal advice to protesters.

'The card was not produced by my firm, and we had no input into its design or distribution,' said Mr Katzen, strongly refuting the allegation that he was 'touting for business'.

He insisted: 'The card merely gave people factual advice about their legal rights and entitlements if they were arrested or mistreated, and similar cards have been appearing at protests for 20 or 30 years.' Moss & Co has a long history of representing clients in protest cases, and has so far received around 40 enquiries from protesters.'We have dealt with enquiries from people who were arrested and people who [allege they] were mistreated by the police: for example assault, false imprisonment and unlawful arrest,' said Mr Katzen, who expressed 'grave concern' about the police tactics.

'The policing negated and eroded the right of people to protest peacefully, and I believe that my firm has done nothing wrong in taking an interest and representing people in this situation.'John Blavo & Co has instructed leading defamation firm Schilling & Lom and Partners over an article about the firm that appeared in the Daily Mail following the protest.

Schilling & Lom said it is considering legal action but declined to comment further.Victoria MacCallum