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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Robinson claims "90 per cent of Labour MPs are middle class" - it is unclear where that figure has come from and how that was quantified.
Robinson calls for members of the crowd to join UKIP right now - tells listeners to get their phones out and sign up.
Tommy Robinson says:
I’ve never voted, none of my friends are voted. I’ve never voted because there’s no one to vote for
…for too long we’ve got excited about elections in Europe …Sweden, Austria, Italy
For too long we get excited about other countries – it’s our turn and it’s our time and our country is ready.
I’d like to ask as many of you to join me with what I’m about to do. I know you’ve spent a lot of money coming here, I know it’s two weeks to Christmas.
It’s the price of a beer. The only way for there to be a political option is for the public to support it, back it and join it.
I’d like as many of you as possible to get your phone out – it’s £4 a month – and join through the membership with Ukip.
Tommy Robinson says that one day he hopes to be sitting in parliament.
Discussing becoming an elected politician, Robinson says:
I thought one day I’ll be sitting in there amongst you, just to trigger you all
The march is now wrapping up - with the final message: "Brexit means exit".
A Momentum spokeswoman said about 15,000 turned up to oppose Mr Robinson's march, claiming it "vastly" outnumbered them nearly five to one.
A Ukip spokesman said "quite a few thousand" had turned up to its rally. Police did not provide estimates on crowd sizes.
Among Ukip supporters outside the luxury establishment was a man who gave his name as Laukan Creasey, from Stevenage, who was carrying a gallows with a noose hanging down.
Asked why he was brandishing it, Mr Creasey said: "That's what the traitor May deserves. That's what treasonous people get.
"It was a referendum not a never-endum. And they promised to implement whatever we decided and they haven't, so two-and-a-half years down the line this is what you get."
Momentum national co-ordinator Laura Parker 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."
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