By Ashley Young
Around 1,000 counter protesters have gathered in Parliament Square, Whitehall and Trafalgar Square in London as both anti-racist demonstrators and far right groups clashed with police.
Glass and bottles were thrown at police during ugly scenes branded ”thuggery and unacceptable by Home Secretary Priti Patel.
Home Secretary Priti Patel described the clashes with police as “thoroughly unacceptable thuggery”.
Crowds also approached war monuments in Bristol, Glasgow, Newcastle and elsewhere to protect them from being vandalised.”.
As protesters in Parliament Square marched towards the boarded-up Churchill monument, some were singing Rule Britannia and the national anthem, banging the sides of the covering. Many protesters appeared drunk, some visibly holding cans of beer in their hands.
The Met Police have told crowds before the protests to be gone from the streets by 5pm and have issued a Section 60 notice
Counter protesters gather in London to protect monuments Image: PA
Met Police Commander Bas Javid has explained why the section 60 is necessary, saying: “The safety of protesters, officers and the public this weekend is of the upmost importance and it is for that exact reason why we have consulted with colleagues and partners and decided it is proportionate to put in place a Section 60.
“It is our job to protect those who are coming into central London today, and this tactic is one of the best available to us that allows us to seize offensive weapons that have absolutely no place on our streets at any time of the day.
Several protesters removed the Black Lives Matter placards which had been left at the plinth where the statue of slave trader Edward Colston stood until last weekend.
Protesters hold up placards : Victoria Jones P/A