Demonstrators vowed to oppose any contractor appointed to complete the construction of Oxford University's new Biomedical Research Facility

Hundreds of animal rights protesters gathered in Oxford on Saturday to oppose the development of Oxford University’s new Biomedical Research Facility.

The protest march followed last week’s withdrawal of Montpellier and RMC from the £18 million project.

Protest leader Mel Broughton said that any new contractors would face more protests from the animal rights movement.

We are going to put an end to this shameful, shameful animal torture lab

Mel Broughton, protest leader

“We are going to put an end to this shameful, shameful animal torture lab. The workers have gone and the likelihood is that they’ll be back. But so will we,” he said.

The protesters marched from Oxford’s Broad Street to the half-finished Biomedical Research Facility on South Parks Road. The marchers jeered and chanted “stop the Oxford lab” as they passed the deserted site. A high-profile police presence ensured that the march passed off peacefully.