Merkel, Sarkozy join protesters

In a sensational development, Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy have stormed out of the G20 summit meeting and joined protesters demonstrating in front of the Bank of England. Coverage from the Guardian's new Twitter service is here, and further background is here. This follows earlier threats by Sarkozy that he would leave the summit if he doesn't feel members are seriously addressing business regulation, and Merkel's NYT interview on Monday in which she stressed her opposition to the American stimulus package. Rumours that statues of Merkel and Sarkozy surrounded by demonstrators will feature in the planned Economist theme park are currently unconfirmed.