LONDON, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- British Prime Minister Gordon Brown was heckled Saturday by dozens of protesters angry about the privatization of the Royal Mail.
The Times of London reported Brown was greeted by protesters when he arrived at the Labor Party's National Policy Forum in Bristol.
Speaking at the conference, Brown said the part-privatization was needed to preserve the mail service and its workers' pensions.
"I think we all recognize that the Royal Mail, which is part of the fabric of our country, faces huge challenges," Brown said in his keynote speech. "I know this is difficult ... but we will continue to talk and address the concerns people have. But I assure you the government is looking at how we can best prepare for the future, not only of the Royal Mail but the future of all public services in the country."
Business Secretary Peter Mandelson about 30 percent of Royal Mail could be sold off to a foreign firm.
Mail worker Phil Chadwick, 43, was among Saturday's 100 or so protesters.
"I want to let the government know that this is completely outrageous. We want 100 percent public ownership of the Royal Mail. We were told that the Labor Party had agreed there should be 100 percent public ownership," he said. "Now it seems they don't care what anybody thinks."
