Robinson and Ukip’s march is outnumbered by protesters
UKIP was left humiliated yesterday after its ‘ Brexit Betrayal’ march organised by far-Right activist Tommy Robinson was ‘vastly’ outnumbered by counter-protesters.
The English Defence League founder – real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – and Ukip supporters marched through central London before a rally in Westminster.
Amid fears of violence, Scotland Yard placed restrictions on both their event and a counter-demonstration organised by Labour supporters and anti-fascists. Ukip claimed up to 10,000 supporters attended its protest against Theresa May’s deal, whereas the counter-protest’s organisers said they had attracted 15,000.
With hundreds of officers in riot gear on the streets, three members of the counter-protest were arrested for a public order offence, assaulting a police officer and possession of an offensive weapon.
Among the supporters of the Brexit Betrayal march were members of the British National Party and far-Right group Generation Identity. Several placards had swastikas on them.
Laura Parker, national co-ordinator of the hard-Left Labour group Momentum, said the counter-protest ‘vastly’ outnumbered the Brexit march.
She said: ‘Today is a huge blow for Tommy Robinson and his vile, hate-fuelled politics.’ The decision by Ukip leader Gerard Batten to hire Mr Robinson as an adviser on rape gangs and prison reform has prompted a string of resignations from the party.