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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There is a significant police operation in place today to prevent potential disorder, and commanders have drawn up a plan to keep the Brexit 'betrayal' march and counter-protesters apart. The two marches will go down different routes and end at separate rallies
There are several people wearing yellow vests gathering in Park Lane. Unclear if it's a coincidence or deliberate allusion to the 'gilets jaunes' in France. A photo posted to Tommy Robinson's Instagram appeared to show an official steward's vest in orange
Banners for "For Britain" - the anti-Islam party started by failed Ukip leadership candidate Anne Marie Waters - can be seen in the crowd alongside placards targeting the EU and Theresa May. Several accuse the prime minister of "treason".
↵Over at the counter-demonstration, mounted police have been seen on standby.
One woman on the Brexit 'betrayal' march is shouting about "draining the cesspit in Westminster". "Throw them in the Thames with weights on them," she says. "Throw them in the Tower for committing treason."
Tommy Robinson has arrived at the march and is greeted by chants of his name and of "we want Britain out".
Plenty of people with signs but not all of them are printable.
This one is one of the more original.
(Picture credit: Colin Drury)
From The Independent's reporter Colin Drury who is at today's march: "Politics is a brutal and fickle business. 'Park Farage in the garage,' says one sign, just days after he left UKIP.
Some people wearing yellow vests at today's march (Picture credit: Angela Christofilou)
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