A peace group's Question Time event was halted when an agitator shouted abuse at a panellist and fire alarms were set off.

More than 100 people had gathered to put questions about a possible war on Iraq to a panel of five experts, including the US Embassy's Michael Murphy.

Chairman Cath Senker, of the Sussex Action for Peace group, had just put the first question to the panel at the Brighthelm Centre in North Road, Brighton, last night when a man stood up and said he wanted to make a point and would leave once he had made it.

He launched into a tirade of abuse against the US government, saying it should not have a representative.

Ms Senker said: "He was shouting abuse and calling the American government a fascist government which had murdered millions of people."

After the mystery man had left the hall, the fire alarms went off and everyone was evacuated.

The group stood in the cold for 45 minutes while the fire service ensured the building was safe then they returned to continue with the session, which included panellists Richard Guthrie, a chemical weapons expert, film-maker Miriam Ryle and peace activists Milan Rai and Amer Albazaz from Iraq.

Ms Senker said Mr Murphy was heckled throughout the evening.

She said: "We also talked about alternatives to war and the role of the UN Security Council."

Sussex Action for Peace is holding a peace march on Saturday, assembling near the war memorial at the Old Steine, Brighton, at 1pm.

At the Brighthelm Centre on Tuesday from 5.30pm, families are invited to make Pancakes for Peace and learn about the peace efforts.