'More than 700,000 protesters' and celebrities join second largest protest in UK this century

Sadiq Khan says another referendum is needed because young people's 'future is on the line'

More than 700,000 protesters march on Westminster calling for a Final Say on Brexit deal

An estimated 700,000 people gathered in central London to call for a second referendum on a final Brexit deal.

MPs from across the political spectrum and a slew of famous names took part in the People’s Vote march, sponsored by The Independent as part of its Final Say campaign.

Some 1,000 young activists led the so-called “march for the future” from Park Lane towards a rally in Parliament Square.

There, demonstrators from across the UK heard speeches from household names including television presenter Delia Smith and London mayor Sadiq Khan.

“We were the few, and now we are the many,” Conservative MP Anna Soubry told the crowds at the largest protest in the UK since the 2003 demonstrations over the Iraq war.

“We are winning the argument and we are winning the argument most importantly against those who voted Leave,” she added.

Christian Broughton, editor of The Independent, told marchers: “Theresa May says that the Final Say referendum will be a politicians’ vote, not a people’s vote, but we can all remember what some politicians told us in 2016.

“We, the people, can all now see what’s really coming. And from where I’m standing it looks like a people’s vote to me.”

Nearly 950,000 people have signed The Independent‘s petition urging Theresa May to call a referendum on the final Brexit deal.

Conservative MP Sarah Wollaston said calls for a People’s Vote could ”no longer be ignored” and urged Labour Jeremy Corbyn to back the campaign.

“If we had the whole of the Labour Party, as well as the SNP, the Liberal Demcorats, and obviously a very significant number of my colleagues, we would get it past it,” she said. “We need him to come behind it.”

London mayor Sadiq Khan, Green Party MP Caroline Lucas, Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable, and Labour MP Chuka Umunna all addressed the crowd at the march.

In a video message, Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of Scotland, said: “Let me say this loudly and clearly, if the issue comes before the House of Commons, SNP MPs will support a People’s Vote which includes the option to remain in the EU.”

Read how we covered the march live below.

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Key Points

• London mayor addresses crowds
• Organisers estimate some 700,000 have turned out
• Young people 'forsaken' by the older generation, anti-Brexit campaigners claim
• The Independent's Final Say petition approaches 1 million signatures

[20 October 2018 10:38 · Harriet Agerholm]

Here's the full piece on Conservative MP Dominic Grieve saying Theresa May is "heading for a dead end"

The influential Tory MP is among thousands of protesters heading to central London today to demand a People's Vote.

[20 October 2018 10:56 · Harriet Agerholm]

The demonstration has started early on Westminster bridge, with protesters waving red flares and unfurling a huge banner that says: "Stop Tory Brexit."

Jess Hurd/Another Europe is Possible 

[20 October 2018 11:10 · Harriet Agerholm]

Some people are reporting problems getting to the demonstration.

[20 October 2018 11:40 · Harriet Agerholm]

Labour MP David Lammy has urged people to march.

"Do not let them tell you it goes against democracy to ask for more democracy," he said in a Twitter post.

"Do not let them tell you the choice is between no deal and a bad deal.

"Do not let them tell you it is not possible to stop Brexit. We can do it."

The Tottenham politician has previously called on Jeremy Corbyn to listen to supporters who want a referendum on a final Brexit deal.

[20 October 2018 11:54 · Harriet Agerholm]

Cook and television presenter Delia Smith is preparing to speak to demonstrators.

Credit: Alastair Campbell 

[20 October 2018 12:31 · Harriet Agerholm]

Demonstrators coming equipped with Brexit themed playlists...

[20 October 2018 12:36 · Harriet Agerholm]

Spotted: Tony Blair's former spin doctor Alastair Campbell

[20 October 2018 12:55 · Harriet Agerholm]

Some of the first signs to appear...

Credit: Reuters

Credit: Lizzy Buchan

Credit: Lizzy Buchan 

[20 October 2018 13:15 · Harriet Agerholm]

Emma Stevens and Emily Longman were of the students leading the march behind a People's Vote banner.

Miss Longman, 20, said she was four months too young to vote in the referendum.

She told PA: "We're both Spanish students due to study abroad next year, but no one knows what will happen with Erasmus funding."

Ms Stevens, also 20, said: "We don't want the other European countries to hold the same view [of leaving the EU]."

Credit: Lizzy Buchan 

[20 October 2018 13:26 · Harriet Agerholm]

The Independent's correspondents have been making friends...

Credit: Lizzy Buchan