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Fifty-eight arrested during Westminster protests | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Fifty-eight people have been arrested at a counter-protest sparked by a British National Party demonstration in Westminster. | |
The BNP demonstration was held in Whitehall Gardens following the death of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich last month. | |
Police had asked that it be moved from Woolwich. | |
The counter-protest in Westminster was staged by members of Unite Against Fascism (UAF). | |
BNP leader Nick Griffin arrived at the demonstration during the afternoon and told the BBC it was intended to be peaceful. | BNP leader Nick Griffin arrived at the demonstration during the afternoon and told the BBC it was intended to be peaceful. |
He said his party agreed with Drummer Rigby's family that his death should not be used as an excuse for attacks on others. | |
But he said his followers were there to "draw attention to a political problem" adding "...because if people stick their heads in the sand... then more lads will die like Lee Rigby." | |
The BNP group had planned to march to the Cenotaph in nearby Whitehall, but UAF supporters blocked their path for most of the day. | The BNP group had planned to march to the Cenotaph in nearby Whitehall, but UAF supporters blocked their path for most of the day. |
The Metropolitan Police said the 58 people arrested for breaches of the Public Order Act were from the UAF protest. | The Metropolitan Police said the 58 people arrested for breaches of the Public Order Act were from the UAF protest. |
In Leeds and Sheffield, several hundred people from the English Defence League (EDL) and UAF were involved in rival demonstrations. | In Leeds and Sheffield, several hundred people from the English Defence League (EDL) and UAF were involved in rival demonstrations. |
Three people were arrested in Leeds and two arrests were made in Sheffield. | Three people were arrested in Leeds and two arrests were made in Sheffield. |
The protests came despite calls for peace from police and the family of Drummer Rigby, who was killed near Woolwich Barracks on 22 May. | |
The BNP had planned to march from the barracks, but were banned from doing so by Scotland Yard, amid community fears that their presence could prompt disorder. | |
'Harrowing experience' | 'Harrowing experience' |
Two men, Michael Adebolajo, 28, of Romford, east London, and Michael Adebowale, 22, of of Greenwich, south-east London, have been charged with Drummer Rigby's murder. | |
Meanwhile, Drummer Rigby's family have called for calm amid reports of a rise in anti-Muslim incidents following his death. | |
In a statement, the family said: "Lee would not want people to use his name as an excuse to carry out attacks against others. | In a statement, the family said: "Lee would not want people to use his name as an excuse to carry out attacks against others. |
"We would not wish any other families to go through this harrowing experience and appeal to everyone to keep calm and show their respect in a peaceful manner." | "We would not wish any other families to go through this harrowing experience and appeal to everyone to keep calm and show their respect in a peaceful manner." |