Latest news with #BritainFirst
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Counter-protest as Birmingham Britain First rally reaches Victoria Square after ‘security breach'
Hundreds of Britain First supporters held a march and rally in the centre of Birmingham despite the city council refusing access to a main square and a counter protest nearby. Supporters of the right wing political party gathered at the junction of Hill Street and Navigation Street at midday. They then marched toward New Street Station, along Lower Temple Street, and back along New Street, with counter protesters seen close by. The protestors marched into Victoria Square where a stage and video screen had been set up, despite Birmingham City Council saying the protestors would not be welcome and would not be allowed on the square. Read more: Birmingham City Council set to disrupt far right Britain First rally plan As the Britain First group had speakers, including its leader Paul Golding, address their audience on the upper level, counter protestors held their own rally on the lower level nearer New Street. There was a heavy police presence and the two groups were largely kept apart save for shouting at each other. Read more: Powerful message from Birmingham's anti racists on day of far right 'hate march' Birmingham City Council has refused to give vehicle access for Victoria Square to Britain First. But despite the refusal, the group had set up a stage and screen and were able to hold their rally. City council leader, Cllr John Cotton said: 'We're investigating how Britain First accessed Victoria Square today as this is a serious breach of security. Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp, click the link to join 'This protest is incompatible with our commitments to equality, community cohesion and the promotion of British values. 'This is not what Birmingham and its citizens stand for.' Get the latest BirminghamLive news direct to your inbox The rally was wound up at around 2.30pm when the Britain First Group marched back to Hill Street where they dispersed. It appeared to pass off without much incident. Earlier a West Midlands Police spokesman said: 'We have a long history of upholding the right to protest, while balancing it with the rights of others, to keep the public safe and prevent crime and disorder.' Following the protest a spokesman for the force added: 'The planned demonstration and counter demonstration in Birmingham city centre passed without significant incident. There were no arrests.' Birmingham Race Impact Group, a collaborative of people and organisations across the city united against racism posted a powerful message on Saturday. Member Mukhtar Dar issued a stark reminder that racism and racial hatred are never gone - 'it lingers in returns wearing new faces.' His full message can be read here. He says of today's (Saturday's) planned march through Birmingham by Britain First, a proclaimed far right organisation with a history of hate, that it is 'not merely a is an attempt to defile a city built on resistance, dignity and defiant pluralism.' He says of our city: "Birmingham is not just diverse; it is defiantly so. From Handsworth to Sparkbrook, our city's strength lies in its solidarity — in car workers and Caribbean nurses, Irish builders and Somali shopkeepers, in mosques and gurdwaras and churches alike. "To allow Britain First to march through our streets unchallenged would be to let hate walk, unchecked, through the soul of our shared home."
BBC News
17-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Police warn of disruption due to Britain First protests in Birmingham
West Midlands Police have warned of potential traffic disruption in Birmingham, as rival protesters rally in the city 200 people supporting Britain First gathered from about midday, kept apart by police from a further 100 counter Midlands Police said there was a planned operation to cover the demonstrations."We have a long history of upholding the right to protest, while balancing it with the rights of others, to keep the public safe and prevent crime and disorder," the force said in a statement. A live stream by the far-right group on X showed a crowd standing outside Birmingham New Street Station holding British and English a claxon sounded, the crowd was seen to walk through the city, letting off red and white smoke flares and chanting the party's name, as well as that of Tommy Robinson, who founded the English Defence himself is not at the protest, but reposted a video of the group marched to the council house steps, kept apart from the nearby rival counter-protest was organised by Stand Up to Racism Birmingham.A statement by the organisation said: "Birmingham belongs to all of us. We will not allow hate to march unchecked through our streets."It was signed by dozens of people and organisations, including Labour MP Zarah Sultana. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Birmingham City Council disrupt far right Britain First rally plan for 'not meeting British Values'
Far right, anti migrant party Britain First has been told 'not welcome' by Birmingham City Council over its plans to host a major anti-immigrant rally in the heart of the city this weekend - but are still bracing for a hostile turnout. The council has refused to give the group the vehicle access to Victoria Square it requested, on the grounds the planned event is 'incompatible with our commitments to equality, community cohesion and the promotion of British Values.' Security bollards will not be lowered to allow in vehicles and for a stage to be set up in the square. However, Britain First party leader Paul Golding has insisted the rally will go on as planned, with the council unable to ban its supporters attending on foot. READ MORE: Selly Oak's action man MP in record breaking bid to climb Everest in seven days He has claimed that 'thousands' of activists will be descending on the city. A recent similar rally in Nuneaton mustered up a small crowd of around 100. Anti fascist groups are already planning counter protests. Police are understood to be planning for a potential security risk for the city on Saturday afternoon. We have contacted West Midlands Police. In a post on its website, Britain First said it intended to challenge the council's decision. In an email sent to the party about its request for vehicle access to the square, the council wrote that after 'careful review' the rally planned 'does not comply with our No Platform Policy'. "This policy ensures that council resources, and support are not extended to organisations whose activities, values or affiliations are incompatible with our commitments to equality, community cohesion, and the promotion of British Values. It also applies where there has been adverse media reporting relating to extremism or radicalisation." The council is unable in law to ban the group, a registered political party, from holding the event, which is billed as a 'March for Remigration'. The group is calling for mass deportations of immigrants. It campaigns primarily against British Muslims and multiculturalism, and advocates the preservation of 'traditional British culture'.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
MP criticises Reform UK over 'disrespectful' posts
The Labour MP for Northampton South has criticised a newly elected Reform UK councillor who he said "repeatedly disrespected the King, our monarchy, and country" on a social media account. Ivan Dabbs, who won his council seat as his party took control of West Northamptonshire Council at this month's local elections, made comments on the King and monarchy in his feed which also has several reposts from Britain First. Mike Reader MP said someone who "calls His Majesty a 'bullsh*t king' should not have the privilege of representing our community". Dabbs confirmed the account was his, but neither he nor his party has commented further. Reader said: "Mr Dabbs has repeatedly disrespected the King, our monarchy, and country. "The residents of Northamptonshire deserve better." According to his account Mr Dabbs, who represents the Deanshanger and Paulsbury ward, joined X in December 2024 and he last commented on it in May. Britain First campaigns on an anti-immigration message and has called for a halt to all further immigration except in specific cases. The group has developed a strong online following, attracting attention when one of its anti-Islamic videos was retweeted by US President Donald Trump. Dr Simon Weaver, reader in media and communications at Brunel University in west London, said: "Britain First are a British far-right, neo-fascist party that was formed in 2011 by a former British National Party (BNP) member. "They propagate an anti-Muslin, Islamophobic ideology and make wide use of online communication." The BBC has approached Ivan Dabbs and Reform UK but neither wanted to comment. Last year, party leader Nigel Farage told the BBC it would be vetting Reform UK hopefuls standing in May's local elections after controversial comments were made by a candidate for Bexhill and Battle during the 2024 general election. Last month Ron Firman, a Reform UK candidate for West Northamptonshire Council, was reminded of the code of conduct for the parish council he was on after offensive sexist and racist tweets on his old social media account emerged. Firman was elected to the Hunsbury Ward. The council's constitution includes a members' code of conduct which states it is intended to promote high standards of behaviour among councillors including an obligation to "treat others with respect". Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. West Northamptonshire Council Reform UK Reform UK take control of two Northants councils Reform candidate gets conduct reminder over tweets
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
MP critical of Northamptonshire Reform councillor's posts about King
The Labour MP for Northampton South has criticised a newly elected Reform UK councillor who he said "repeatedly disrespected the King, our monarchy, and country" on a social media Dabbs, who won his council seat as his party took control of West Northamptonshire Council at this month's local elections, made comments on the King and monarchy in his feed which also has several reposts from Britain Reader MP said someone who "calls His Majesty a 'bullsh*t king' should not have the privilege of representing our community".Dabbs confirmed the account was his, but neither he nor his party has commented further. Reader said: "Mr Dabbs has repeatedly disrespected the King, our monarchy, and country. "The residents of Northamptonshire deserve better."According to his account Mr Dabbs, who represents the Deanshanger and Paulsbury ward, joined X in December 2024 and he last commented on it in First campaigns on an anti-immigration message and has called for a halt to all further immigration except in specific group has developed a strong online following, attracting attention when one of its anti-Islamic videos was retweeted by US President Donald Simon Weaver, reader in media and communications at Brunel University in west London, said: "Britain First are a British far-right, neo-fascist party that was formed in 2011 by a former British National Party (BNP) member. "They propagate an anti-Muslin, Islamophobic ideology and make wide use of online communication."The BBC has approached Ivan Dabbs and Reform UK but neither wanted to year, party leader Nigel Farage told the BBC it would be vetting Reform UK hopefuls standing in May's local elections after controversial comments were made by a candidate for Bexhill and Battle during the 2024 general month Ron Firman, a Reform UK candidate for West Northamptonshire Council, was reminded of the code of conduct for the parish council he was on after offensive sexist and racist tweets on his old social media account was elected to the Hunsbury council's constitution includes a members' code of conduct which states it is intended to promote high standards of behaviour among councillors including an obligation to "treat others with respect". Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
