Sir Paul, whose handling of two previous student riots was heavily criticised, faced calls for an independent inquiry into the incident amid concern that an internal review would be a whitewash.
David Cameron described the attack as "very regrettable" and said those involved in the violence should face "the full force of the law".
Scotland Yard announced a major criminal investigation to track down those behind violence in demonstrations against university tuition fees since Nov 10.
Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, said he would be asking searching questions about why the police failed to spot the danger before the royal car became trapped by rioters. He called on students to "shop" demonstrators who had broken the law.
Theresa May, the Home Secretary, will make a statement on the riot to the Commons on Monday, when Sir Paul is expected to face further criticism. As the cost of the repair and clean-up operation was put at more than £500,000 yesterday, student bodies warned of more demonstrations, starting on Monday, and anarchist groups threatened further attacks on the Royal family.
Two Labour MPs were named as supporters of a group that encouraged attacks on Topshop, the fashion store owned by Sir Philip Green.
Scotland Yard sources confirmed that officers from the Special Escort Group, the motorcycle outriders whose job is to keep the royal convoy's route clear, were using radios on a different channel from those being used by officers patrolling the riots.
It meant they had no direct contact with officers who could have warned them that Regent Street was filling with hundreds of angry protesters.
Sir Paul, who was said to have felt "let down" by the royalty protection squad, ordered an internal inquiry to find out why an alternative route was not used, and why the couple were driven in a poorly protected 33-year-old limousine, rather than a modern, armour-plated vehicle.
Senior MPs said that only an independent review would get to the truth. Sir Paul carried out a similar internal review following another student protest last month, when the Conservative Party headquarters was invaded, and promised to make changes to prevent further violence, only for two further student demonstrations to get out of control.
Mark Pritchard, a Tory MP, said: "This was an incident that was so very serious, and could have been even more serious, that it should not be left to an internal Metropolitan Police inquiry. There needs to be an independent inquiry, given the many questions that need to be answered." David Davis, the former Conservative shadow home secretary, said HM Inspector of Constabulary would be best placed to carry out a review, which "is not a condemnation of the Met, it's just proper practice".
Keith Vaz, the Labour chairman of the Commons home affairs committee, agreed that: "Internal inquiries will not satisfy the public."
The Prince's spokesman said he and the Duchess "totally understand the difficulties" faced by the police and were "always very grateful to the police for the job they do in often very challenging circumstances". Brian Paddick, the former Met deputy assistant commissioner, claimed the Prince and the Duchess had been warned by their bodyguards not to attend the Royal Variety Performance, but the Prince insisted he would not allow the protesters to stop him going.
Mr Cameron insisted Sir Paul still had his support, but said he had asked him to review the police operation to "learn the lessons". A Home office spokesman said: "We will await the Metropolitan Police review and then take a view whether a further investigation is required."
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