Protests called off amid busy weekend for police
A ‘Free Tommy Robinson’ rally planned for one of Newcastle’s busiest days of the year has been scrapped.
Northumbria Police is expected to be stretched today due to the need to police both the second of Ed Sheeran’s three gigs at St James’ Park and the Blaydon Race.
As a result, organisers of both the Robinson rally and a counter protest have agreed to scrap their events to help ease the force’s workload. Ex-English Defence League leader Robinson was jailed after pleading guilty to contempt of court.
A group called Northeast Frontline Patriots planned a march through town in a “peaceful” protest against the sentence.
Protesters from the group Stand Up To Racism planned a counter-demonstration at Grey’s Monument.
However, a Northumbria Police spokesperson confirmed: “The organisers of two protests planned for Newcastle on Saturday have, following consultation with police, decided not to go ahead with the events. While Northumbria Police will always facilitate peaceful protests, and would of course have policed these events if they went ahead, we are pleased organisers have listened to our concerns.
“These concerns centred around an already anticipated higher number of visitors than normal in the city centre due to existing long-standing events, including a large stadium concert and the Blaydon road race, and the challenges these present in terms of public safety. Having explained these fully to organisers, we are assured by them that their respective protests will now not go ahead.” Robinson shot a Facebook Live clip outside Leeds Crown Court during a trial, despite a court order banning anyone from doing so. He also breached a previous suspended sentence imposed for the same act. Jailing him, a judge said the 35-year-old could have cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of pounds by making another trial necessary.