British police protest over pay

LONDON, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- As thousands of British police officers protested a delayed pay raise Wednesday, a union announced it has asked for a review of the home secretary's decision.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith decided not to backdate a pay increase to April. Alan Gordon, vice chairman of the Police Federation, said an application was filed Tuesday, The Daily Telegraph reported.

"The fact is that that the Home Secretary has exceeded her parliamentary authority," Gordon said. "It is all about making a political point."

About 18,000 off-duty officers marched through Westminster on a route that took them past parliament and Smith's office.

During question period in parliament, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he had to ignore his own wish to give police officers a bigger pay increase to keep inflation in check.

An arbitrator recommended a 2.5 percent pay increase for police. Smith's refusal to backdate the hike effectively reduces the rate to 1.9 percent.