UEL's alternative G20 summit "ended peacefully"

Despite dark predictions of possible clashes at the event, the only action was an attempt to gain access to the locked library, which ended after the alarm was set off.

The university suspended its anthropology professor Chris Knight following accusations that he had incited violence before world leaders gathered at the Excel conference centre in Royal Docks. And it shut its doors on Wednesday and Thursday "to maintain a safe campus environment".

The move sparked over 3,300 people into signing a petition calling for the re-opening of the university, and many journeyed to the campus near Cyprus DLR in any case after news spread that the summit was going ahead as planned regardless.

Chris Knight was among the visitors to the alternative summit, which also featured Lindsey German, the convener of the Stop The War coalition.

A UEL spokeswoman said: "On Wednesday 1 April from 4pm, around 200 people gathered at our Docklands campus.

"Having received repeated threats of disturbances and possible occupation, we had closed the main buildings.

"At one point there was an organised attempt to break into the library. After this set off the alarm, the crowd returned to University Square to hear speakers including Tony Benn, Mark Thomas and Lindsay German.

"The evening ended peacefully."