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Brexit marches ahead of vote under way | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A UKIP-organised march in support of Brexit which controversial activist Tommy Robinson is attending is taking place in London. | |
A counter-protest against the former English Defence League leader, who was recently appointed as an adviser to UKIP, is also under way. | |
Anti-fascist groups and Labour-backed campaigners are taking part. | |
Scotland Yard has imposed restrictions on both marches and urged people to protest peacefully. | |
UKIP predicted its "Brexit Betrayal" march would be "the largest pro-Brexit event of the year", with party leader Gerard Batten telling supporters it was the "only pro-Brexit rally to be held before the vote next week". | |
Mr Robinson's appointment as an adviser to Mr Batten prompted a number of people to resign from the party, including former leader Nigel Farage. | |
John McDonnell, Labour shadow chancellor, urged people to join the rally against Mr Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon. | |
Unite Against Fascism and grassroots group Momentum are also marching against Mr Robinson. | Unite Against Fascism and grassroots group Momentum are also marching against Mr Robinson. |
'Fundamental right' | 'Fundamental right' |
Scotland Yard said it had imposed conditions - which include the marches sticking to planned routes and limits the time they take place - based on current intelligence. | Scotland Yard said it had imposed conditions - which include the marches sticking to planned routes and limits the time they take place - based on current intelligence. |
Mr Robinson and his supporters met outside the Dorchester hotel on Park Lane before marching along a specified route to Parliament Street. | |
Police barriers are separating them from the counter-protesters, who gathered outside the BBC's Portland Place headquarters ahead of marching to Whitehall. | |
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor of the Metropolitan Police said: "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." | Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor of the Metropolitan Police said: "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." |
He said police would "adopt a robust arrest policy on anyone who attends and is intent on violence and disorder". | He said police would "adopt a robust arrest policy on anyone who attends and is intent on violence and disorder". |