China’s Ambassador to London will be the prime target of pro-Tibet protests tomorrow as the Olympic torch is carried through the city to promote the Beijing Games.

Fu Ying is scheduled to run a leg of the torch relay near the British Museum at around midday. Embassy officials declined to clarify whether she would defy planned demonstrations and pull out of the event despite increased fears of violence as protesters and Chinese students said they would mobilise around the ambassador.

Last night she was still on the list of 80 torchbearers, alongside Sir Steve Redgrave and Paula Radcliffe, the marathon runner, whose participation was confirmed yesterday.

Activists said that they would step up their demonstrations, with particular focus on Ms Fu, following reports yesterday that eight Tibetans had died when Chinese security forces opened fire on protesters.

“She is an apologist for the Chinese Government and its policies in Tibet so she will be perceived as a legitimate target for vociferous protest,” Matt Whitticase, spokesman for the Free Tibet Campaign, said.

For their part, Overseas Chinese Students for the Olympic Association, which claims it has the support of the Chinese Embassy, called on its website for pro-China groups to “unite as one . . . to let the Western masses hear our voice”.

The torch relay, part of an 85,000-mile global tour in the run-up to the Games, is expected to draw more than 80,000 spectators along the route from Wembley to Greenwich.

Thousands of protesters will be out in force demonstrating against issues including Tibet, Darfur and Chinese executions. Among the pro-Tibet protesters will be Joanna Lumley, the actress. Most protests are expected to be peaceful and the Metropolitan Police, which is working with six pressure groups, said it was not increasing its force of 2,000 officers as a result of the latest massacre in Tibet.

Bob Broadhurst, the commander of the £1 million security operation, said Ms Fu’s decision to take part was her own. “If she does run, we will ensure her safety,” he said.

Some of the participants appeared at ease with their involvement. Danny Crates, the world and paralympic champion at 800m, said: “I have sympathy for the Tibetan people but it is not going to stop me taking part in the relay. The Olympics are all about friendliness, not politics.”

A number of activists intend to disrupt the procession of the Olympic flame and may attempt to run across its path or snatch a torch from a runner.

As emotions about Tibet ran high, Gordon Brown came under mounting political pressure to abandon plans to welcome the Olympic torch at Downing Street. The Prime Minister is scheduled to have his photo taken with the Beijing torch in front of No 10 as the flame is passed between Denise Lewis, the heptathlete, and Ali Jawad, an 18-year-old paralympic powerlifter.

Mr Brown, who is standing firm against a boycott of the Olympic opening ceremony on August 8, may hold the torch in a move likely to outrage pro-Tibet activists and opposition MPs.

Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrat leader, said: “Serious concerns cannot be swept under the carpet for the sake of ceremonial duties.”

Graham Stringer, MP for Manchester Blackley, who was part of the unsuccessful bid to bring the Games to Britain in 2000, said that the decision to receive the torch demonstrated political weakness.

“Brown should make a stand now as it’s only going to get worse and he’ll end up having to say much stronger things about China in five to six weeks,” he said. “It is incumbent on him and other Western leaders to hold Beijing to the agreements they made about improving human rights. Otherwise, they got the Games on false pretences.”

Just one torchbearer has pulled out on political grounds. Francesca Martinez, the comedian, said taking part would legitimise violence in Tibet. She will be replaced by a young Londoner.

Gaby Logan, the BBC television presenter, was asked to run by the Mayor of London but declined because it clashed with personal and professional commitments. “As I will be covering the Games in Beijing, I felt it might compromise me,” she said.

A spokesman for Theo Walcott, the Arsenal star, who will run the penultimate stage, said he was “honoured to represent his country” in the relay but refused to give a view on Tibet.

The super-rich are to be asked for donations to back British athletes competing in the London 2012 as the Government tries to plug a £100 million funding gap.

Wealthy individuals such as Sir Richard Branson and Sir Philip Green will be approached by ministers to support a sponsorship programme designed to fill the hole in a £600 million funding package promised by Mr Brown last year.

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