Brexit protests: Two arrested as ‘yellow vest’ activists block Westminster Bridge

Second day running of right-wing outcry outside Parliament

Saturday 30 March 2019 23:27 GMT

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Pro-Brexit supporters turn on the press

Pro-Brexit protesters blocked the roads around Parliament on Saturday as activists launched a second consecutive day of demonstrations at Westminster.

Hundreds of people donned yellow vests and waved Union Jacks and UKIP flags to share their frustration over the UK’s delayed exit from the EU.

One group sat down in the middle of the road at Westminster Bridge for around 15 minutes, forcing Transport for London (TfL) to divert seven buses in the area.

Traffic was also diverted around Whitehall after a “public disturbance” between Horse Guards Avenue and Trafalgar Square, according to TfL.

The Metropolitan Police said two men had been arrested for “affray” – fighting in a public place – and were taken to a central London police station.

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Pro-Brexit leave the European Union supporters attend a rally in Parliament Square after the final leg of the "March to Leave" in London

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

The protest march which started on March 16 in Sunderland, north east England, finished on what was the original date for Brexit to happen before the recent extension

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

A Brexit supporter sips a can of Stella in protests outside of the Houses of Parliament

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

Dedicated anti-Brexit campaigner Steve Bray and likewise pro-Brexit campaigner Joseph Afrane go head to head near the Houses of Parliament

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

A pro-Brexit marching band in Parliament Square

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

Remain supporters wave EU flags from a bus in Parliament Square

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

A Brexit supporter shouts slogans outside parliament

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

A Brexit supporter protests outside parliament

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

A Brexit supporter protests outside of the Houses of Parliament

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

Brexit supporters protest outside of the Houses of Parliament

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

A pro-Brexit flag is waved in Parliament Square

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The March to Leave nears the Houses of Parliament

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

A Brexit protester holds a sign outside parliament

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

Brexit supporters carry the coffin of democracy

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

Brexit supporters march outside parliament

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

Brexit supporters take part in the March to Leave protest in London

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

Brexit supporters protest outside parliament

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

A Brexit supporter holds a sign outside the Houses of Parliament

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

A man holds satirical paintings of politicians

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

An pro-Brexit float on the March to Leave march in London

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

Far-right activist Tommy Robinson addresses protesters outside the Houses of Parliament

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

A Brexit supporter outside the Houses of Parliament

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A Tommy Robinson supporter arrives at the Houses of Parliament

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

A jogger gestures rudely at a Brexit supporter outside of the Houses of Parliament

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Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit

A Brexit supporter outside the Houses of Parliament

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It follows much larger rallies held by Nigel Farage and Tommy Robinson outside Parliament on Friday – the day Britain was scheduled to leave the EU under Article 50.

Police made five arrests, including two for assault, while two opposition MPs leaving the Commons were subjected to public abuse by Brexiteers calling them “traitors”.

Journalists from Channel 4 News and CNN were also harassed by several of the demonstrators.

Pro-Brexit supporters rally outside Parliament

Earlier today police announced that a 44-year-old man draped in St George flag been arrested after he was found on the roof of St Pancras station.

All Eurostar trains from London were suspended until 9.45am on Saturday after the man was spotted “in a precarious position” over the high-speed lines late Friday evening.

The company said a reduced timetable was implemented, with customers being told they could exchange their ticket or apply for a refund.

Yellow vest activists with impromptu sit down protest at Westminster Bridge (Reuters)

The Metropolitan Police said several officers had been “engaging with a roaming protest” on Saturday afternoon, as the yellow vest activists moved around the Westminster area without any clear plan of action.

A spokesman for the force said: “Two men have been arrested at the demonstrations in central London for affray. Both have been taken to a central London police station.”

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