Brexit 'betrayal' march: Tommy Robinson and Ukip lead London protest amid huge police operation
Police appeal for people to protest peacefully amid disorder fears
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Thousands of people took to the streets in central London in a “Brexit betrayal” protest led by Tommy Robinson and Ukip.
Counter-demonstrators and anti-fascists held a separate protest they claimed had drawn some 15,000 people, although there has been no official crowd size estimates.
The Metropolitan Police mounted a significant public order operation to prevent potential disorder but only three arrests had been made - all of counter-protesters - by the time both rallies ended.
Robinson, the English Defence League (EDL) founder who has been welcomed into the Ukip fold as an adviser to leader Gerard Batten, hinted he could run as a Ukip MP.
Speaking at the Brexit "betrayal" rally, he said that after watching MPs criticise him in parliament he "thought one day I'll be sitting in there amongst you".
Ukip’s official event page for the Brexit march said it would be “a democratic and peaceful demonstration expressing the strength of feeling amongst Leavers”.
The party is looking to gain fresh momentum following a wave of resignations from MEPs and high-profile figures, including Nigel Farage, over Robinson’s appointment and Mr Batten’s focus on Islam.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, gave a speech at the march alongside controversial YouTubers who have been welcomed into Ukip in recent months.
The EDL founder noted that he did not want to be seen to "jumping on the Brexit bandwagon" but that his supporters "need a political voice".
He also called for a mass Ukip membership drive asking his supporters to join the party.
Mr Batten described getting Robinson talking about Brexit as being a "huge success".
“I’ve persuaded Tommy Robinson to talk about Brexit, that’s what he will be talking about. Brexit and the EU will be the only subjects on the agenda at that rally," he said last week.
“We want as many there as possible to show you’re opposed to this withdrawal agreement, we want to dump the deal.”
Around 1,300 people have pledged to attend on Facebook and the number of marchers are not expected to approach the hundreds of thousands who demonstrated for a Final Say referendum on Brexit in October.
The Metropolitan Police imposed strict conditions on the “Brexit betrayal” march and counter-protests in efforts to keep opposing demonstrators apart.
Police warned that anyone breaking restrictions under the Public Order Act, which require protesters to stay within designated areas and leave by a stated time, would be committing a criminal offence and would be arrested.
Scotland Yard said the move was proportionate based on “current tensions and concerns”, intelligence and the violence seen at Free Tommy protests in the summer.
“The right to protest is a fundamental right in our democratic society, but this right must be balanced against the right of people to go about their day without fear of violence, disorder or disruption,” said Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor.
”Experience has shown us that when groups with conflicting views come together it can create tension and disorder, not just on the day itself but in the longer term."
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“I am not a European,” a man on the march tells The Independent. “I am not European.”
When asked where he is from he replied: "Leicester."
The Metropolitan Police say they will not be giving an estimate of the crowd size at either the Brexit 'betrayal' march or counter-protest.
There have not been any arrests related to the demonstrations today
One man at the protest is carrying a sign reading "Jo Cox False Flag", referring to the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox by a white supremacist in 2016.
There is also one reading 'Defeat the New World Order' and eferences to #QAnon and other conspiracy theories
Numerous signs refer to politicians committing "treason", sometimes calling the prime minister "Treason May". This man is more explicit:
Our reporter Colin Drury says: "Tourists in the English Rose Tea Shop bemused by this particular bit of British culture passing them by."
The Brexit 'betrayal' march is now near Victoria station, while the counter-protesters are in Whitehall at their rally
Counter-protesters claim they outnumber the Brexit 'betrayal' march by five to one, but police will not confirm the numbers and there is no official estimate.
Momentum claimed 15,000 joined the Oppose Tommy Robinson rally, compared to 3,000 on the Brexit 'betrayal' march. The counter demonstration was organised by Momentum and a coalition of 23 organisations including Stand Up To Racism, anti-fascist and feminist groups
"The march was led by women and migrants standing in opposition to the far right’s attempt to use the issues of sexual violence and child abuse to justify Islamophobia and racism," a Momentum spokesperson said
Laura Parker, Momentum’s National Coordinator, said:
“Today is a huge blow for Tommy Robinson and his vile, hate fuelled politics. Even with the Ukip machine in tow he only managed to bring a few thousand supporters out on the streets while we mobilised nearly 15,000 to march against his racism and bigotry.
"This is a victory for the vast majority of people in our country who reject Tommy Robinson’s Islamophobic, migrant bashing politics."
John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, said:
"A newly energised, well funded network of hate is emerging, from Steve Bannon in the US to the former EDL leader Tommy Robinson at home, and it threatens the very fabric of our nation ...it doesn’t matter whether you voted leave or remain, Tommy Robinson doesn’t represent you."
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