Protesters clash as right wing group stages action

one member of the public shouted abuse at Britain First supporters and appeared to lash out, according to witnesses.

One man shouted ‘Nazis’ as Britain First members headed for New Street.

Police, who described the Britain First protest as a “spontaneous demonstration”, said there were no arrests.

Chief Insp Steve Dodds, of Kirklees Police, said: “Kirklees Police managed a spontaneous demonstration in Huddersfield town centre by a small number of Britain First activists. A counter event was also held by opposing groups.

“Officers did not make any arrests and the events concluded just before 2pm, with little disruption caused overall. I want to thank residents out and about in Huddersfield centre for their patience and conduct as we managed the demonstrations which took place.”

Supporters of Britain First visited from as far away as London, Northern Ireland and Sunderland.

Activist David Bond, 57, from Widnes, who came dressed as a “Christian crusader”, said he wanted to “expose hidden grooming gangs.”

Colin Atkinson, 71, from Wakefield, said he had joined Britain First last week, adding: “We are not angry, we are standing up for the Government to take action about this kind of stuff, for the Government to tackle grooming gangs.”

Counter-protesters gathered in St George’s Square and then followed Britain First activists through the town to New Street.

Tim Padmore, speaking through a loud hailer, said: “People of Huddersfield, don’t be fooled by Britain First – they don’t represent you or our community.

“They are a dangerous, racist, far-right organisation. They are here to cause conflict, division and potentially violence.”

Frazer Soar, from Huddersfield, who opposed the Britain First protest, said: “There’s no place for that bunch. That is the last thing we need within Huddersfield.”

Mr Golding, who served a jail sentence earlier this year after being found guilty of religiously-aggravated harassment, said he had come to Huddersfield to “raise awareness” of grooming gangs.

He denied trying to cause problems in the town, saying: “No, we are a legal political organisation; we are just giving out these completely legal leaflets. We are exercising our democratic right to spread our message and to campaign on issues which we feel are important.”

He said Britain First intended to re-visit Huddersfield “within a matter of weeks”.

Mr Golding said he was used to people “shouting obscenities” at him.

“We get called these abusive words by our left-wing opponents because they got no arguments, no real policies.

“All they do is just shout obscenities at their political opponents to take the moral high ground and hopefully shut everyone up. It’s not going to happen with us.”