Protesters clash in London as far-right EDL marchers met by anti-fascists

Staff reporter(wp/es):

Protesters clashed in central London as far-right supporters were met by anti-fascist campaigners in central London.

A march and rally planned by Britain First and the English Defence League (EDL) is taking place near a counter demonstration from Unite Against Fascism (UAF).

Frantic scenes unfolded when ex-EDL leader Tommy Robinson arrived and a high number of police officers moved to contain potential trouble.

Police said 12 people had been arrested by 2pm as the protests continued through the capital.

Crowds had gathered in Trafalgar Square from around midday and must obey conditions imposed by the Metropolitan Police which include following a set route.

UAF protesters, who appeared to vastly outnumber the far-right, chanted "EDL go to hell" and hundreds of protesters spilled onto the surrounding roads.

Many of those taking part wore masks which covered their faces.

Scotland Yard said on Friday that the information and intelligence available to the Met meant that they felt it necessary to impose the conditions to prevent the demonstrations from resulting in "serious disorder, serious damage to property, serious disruption to the life of the community, and to prevent the intimidation of local people trying to go about their business".

Chief Superintendent Catherine Roper 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.

"Experience has shown us that when groups with conflicting views come together it can create tension and disorder, not just on the day itself but in the longer term.

"What we have had to carefully consider is how to balance the right to protest with the negative impact on our communities and potential violence and disorder that may have resulted from these protests going ahead as they were suggested.

"If you want to protest on Saturday, we ask that you do so peacefully, no matter what your view. We will adopt a robust arrest policy on anyone who attends and is intent on violence and disorder, or is in breach of these conditions."

World War Two bomb discovered in Thames on Boat Race route

Staff reporter(wp/es):

An unexploded World War Two bomb is believed to have been discovered on the banks of the Thames in Putney just one day before the Boat Race.

Scotland Yard confirmed they had been called to an area of the Chelsea shoreline close to Putney Bridge just before 1pm on Saturday.

A spokeswoman said: “Police were called at approximately 1.50pm on Saturday  to the Chelsea shoreline by Putney Bridge, following reports of the discovery of what is believed to be World War Two ordnance.

“Officers including the Marine Policing Unit are in attendance.”

The discovery comes just one day before the 163rd Boat race between Oxford and Cambridge Universities.

The device is believed to be on the route of the iconic annual event.

Police hunt thug after Islington bus passenger punched and attacked on ground

Crime reporter(wp/es):

Police are hunting a thug after a bus passenger was punched in the face before being thrown to the pavement and attacked.

The victim, a 44-year-old, was trying to board a bus near the council offices in Upper Street, Islington, when the man lashed out at him, police say.

He was then hurled on to the ground and attacked as he lay on the floor before the assailant, who was clutching a Waitrose shopping bag, walked off towards Angel.

The injured man was rushed to hospital where he remains, days after the March 28 attack, which took place at around 3.30pm.

Police say the attacker was black, aged from 25 to 35, and of athletic build with short, possibly receding hair.

He wore a smart, dark jacket and dark trousers. Police say the man was between 5ft 6ins and 5ft 11ins tall.

Following the incident, detectives have released a CCTV image of a man they want to trace.

Six arrests as police officers surrounded and attacked during violence in Islington

Crime reporter(wp/es):

Police officers were surrounded and attacked as violence erupted during an arrest in north London.

Witnesses said the area was like a "war zone" as riot police reportedly descended on Islington on Thursday night.

Scotland Yard said its officers used tear gas after they were assaulted while arresting a man in Arbon Court in Linton Street.

Six people, including the original suspect, were eventually arrested on suspicion of a range of offences including assault.

The Met said that several officers had been assaulted but none sustained injuries.

Residents told how police helicopters were seen circling over the area while police cars tore through the streets as the disorder broke out.

Witness James Watthey told the Weastar Times: “It was pretty alarming. I was just trying to eat in the garden while watching the chopper circling overhead. 

“I’m guessing there was some kind of pursuit from Upper Street towards Old Street as that’s where the sirens seemed to be heading.”

Others commented on the noise, with Ben Fisher tweeting: “What’s going on in Islington? Two helicopters? I’m getting tired of the house shaking now.”

Photos posted on social media show scores of police cars and vans descending on the housing estate.

Harriet Fox said: “Is this really just one helicopter hovering above Islington?

“Sounds like a whole damn pack. What’s happening out there?"

During the incident, some officers were assaulted although none were injured.

“Six people - no further details - were arrested, including the man police initially attended to arrest, for a variety of offences including public order and assault. They remain in custody.

“There were no reports of any other injuries.”

Theresa May triggers Article 50 and begins UK's departure from European Union

Pic:UK envoy Tim Barrow (left) hands Donald Tusk the letter giving Britain’s formal exit notice.
Political reporter(wp/es):
Theresa May has told Parliament that she accepts Brexit will carry consequences for the United Kingdom, as a letter delivered to Brussels began a two-year countdown to Britain’s departure from the European Union.

The prime minister took to her feet minutes after the European council president, Donald Tusk, confirmed that he had received notification, declaring that “the UK has delivered Brexit” nine months after a bruising referendum campaign.

“We understand that there will be consequences for the UK of leaving the EU. We know that we will lose influence over the rules that affect the European economy. We know that UK companies that trade with the EU will have to align with rules agreed by institutions of which we are no longer a part, just as we do in other overseas markets. We accept that,” she said.

A number of MPs congratulated the prime minister on the tone of her letter to Tusk, which stressed Britain’s commitment to the continent as a close friend and ally. But others accused her of issuing a “blatant threat” to withdraw security cooperation if the EU27 fails to deliver on a trade agreement. The letter suggests that the government hopes to roll the separate issues together, claiming no deal will mean WTO rules but also “mean our cooperation in the fight against crime and terrorism would be weakened”.

May’s spokesman repeatedly insisted placing security and trade relations alongside each other in the letter to Tusk was not intended as a threat. “It’s a simple statement of fact that if we leave the EU without a deal, then the arrangements we have as part of our EU membership will lapse,” he said.

The prime minister made clear that 29 March 2019 would be “a day of celebration for some and disappointment for others” – a point underlined as passionate campaigners on either side of the debate rose after her statement to put forward their arguments.

“The referendum last June was divisive at times. Not everyone shared the same point of view, or voted in the same way. The arguments on both side were passionate,” she said.

May insisted that her government accepted the repeated warnings from European leaders that Britain could not “cherry-pick” during EU negotiations – and that was why it would not be seeking to remain a full member of the single market.

She urged her European counterparts to help secure a “bold and ambitious free trade agreement” between the EU27 and the UK as she promised to approach the talks “constructively, respectfully, and in a spirit of sincere cooperation”. May stressed a number of times that she wanted a “new deep and special partnership” with the rest of the EU.

She made clear that in her eyes, there was now no way to stop the UK’s journey towards Brexit, which she said was her government acting on the “democratic will of the British people”.

“This is an historic moment from which there can be no turning back. Britain is leaving the European Union. We are going to make our own decisions and our own laws. We are going to take control of the things that matter most to us. And we are going to take this opportunity to build a stronger, fairer Britain – a country that our children and grandchildren are proud to call home,” said the prime minister, arguing that leaving the EU was both an “ambition and an opportunity”.

She warned that security in Europe was more fragile than at any time since the cold war, warning that any weakening of cooperation would be a “costly mistake”

Scotland backs Nicola Sturgeon's call for new UK vote

Pic:Nicola Sturgeon and Theresa May met for a chat on Monday ahead of Tuesday's vote. 
Political reporter(wp/es):

The Scottish Parliament has voted in favour of holding a second UK independence referendum.

MSPs voted 69 to 59 to back First Minister Nicola Surgeon to seek permission from the UK Government for a ballot to be held between autumn next year and spring 2019.

Ms Sturgeon's minority Scottish Government won the vote following an extended debate thanks to support from the Scottish Greens.

Prime Minister Theresa May has already said she will block another referendum while the Brexit process takes place, stating "now is not the time".

Holyrood’s vote means Ms Sturgeon now has a mandate to seek permission from Westminster to prepare for a referendum.

The last vote to leave or stay in the UK was in 2014 when Scotland chose to stay as part of the union.

But Ms Sturgeon says the circumstances of staying in the UK have since changed because of Brexit. Scotland voted strongly to remain in the bloc.

Ms Sturgeon said: "It is now the will of Scotland's democratically-elected national Parliament that discussions should begin with the UK Government to enable an independence referendum to be held.

"Today's vote must now be respected. The mandate for a referendum is beyond question, and it would be democratically indefensible - and utterly unsustainable - to attempt to stand in the way of it.

"We will now act on the mandate given to us by Parliament by making a formal approach to the UK Government within the next few days, after Article 50 has been triggered.

"This is, first and foremost, about giving the people of Scotland a choice on this country's future.

"The Prime Minister says that now is not the time for a referendum. I agree with that, which is why I have indicated a timescale no earlier than 18 months from now, when the terms of Brexit are clear - something the PM has now indicated she agrees with."

A UK Government spokeswoman said: "The Prime Minister has been clear that now is not the time for an independence referendum, and we will not be entering into negotiations on the Scottish Government's proposal.

"At this point, all our focus should be on our negotiations with the European Union, making sure we get the right deal for the whole of the UK.

"It would be unfair to the people of Scotland to ask them to make a crucial decision without the necessary information about our future relationship with Europe, or what an independent Scotland would look like.

"We have been joined together as one country for more than 300 years. We've worked together, we've prospered together, we've fought wars together, and we have a bright future. At this crucial time we should be working together, not pulling apart."

Woman, 97, dies after being hit by car in Finchley

Staff reporter(wp/es):

A 97-year-old woman has died after being hit by a car on a quiet residential road in north London.

The pensioner was rushed to hospital following the collision in Finchley but died from her injuries two days later.

The driver of the car stopped at the scene on Churchfield Avenue, off High Road, but was not arrested.

Police are now appealing for witnesses or anyone with information regarding the crash, which occurred at 9.43am on 23 March.

The victim’s family have been informed although formal identification is yet to take place.

The Met police said a postmortem examination will take place in due course.