The Metropolitan Police have been accused of “standing by” as Restore Britain campaigners were shouted down by “feral pro-migrant thugs”.
Videos on social media show campaigners for Rupert Lowe’s party being heckled by Stand Up To Racism protesters in Holborn and St Pancras as they went door-knocking ahead of an upcoming by-election.
Restore’s leader posted the footage, showing a canvasser being followed by pro-migrant protesters, shouting “refugees are welcome here”.
Accompanying the video, he wrote on X: “This is what our team is facing as they try to campaign for Restore Britain in Holborn and St Pancras today.
“It is disgraceful.”
The protesters appear to block the campaigner as they drop leaflets in postboxes, with the police then coming to speak to the Restore Britain team.
One of the campaigners can be heard saying: “You are interrupting the democratic process.”
In response, one protester said: “Would you deport this police officer who is helping you because he is not white?”
The Restore campaigners are then escorted by the police away from the area.
Protesters follow the police and campaigner, chanting: “Out to canvass Nazi scum.”
Reform UK’s Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick condemned the incident.
Writing on social media, the MP for Newark said: “These are dark scenes for our democracy.
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“The police should be protecting campaigners, not appeasing these feral pro-migrant thugs.”
Mr Lowe posted a video on social media, responding to the incident, describing the canvasser as “brave” and calling upon the Government and police to “stand up to defend our democratic process”.
He said: “I have watched the footage of our very brave canvasser trying to do what is entirely legal in putting pieces of perfectly legal information and documentation through people’s doors, so they can make reasoned selections to who they wish to vote for.
“I’ve seen the police ushering our candidate away, and I am now calling on both the police and the Home Secretary to stand up and defend our democratic process.
“It is simply not acceptable to allow a noisy mob to dictate the way in which this country is governed.”
Stand Up to Racism confirmed their protesters “confronted Restore Britain campaigners in Camden who were canvassing with Restore member Patrick McGinnis”.
The Holborn and St Pancras seat became available after former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stood down from being an MP.
Voters in the north London constituency will be heading to the polls on October 8.
There are 15 candidates hoping to secure Sir Keir’s former seat. They are as follows:
Barmy Brunch, Official Monster Raving Loony PartyBen Walker, UKIP – NO to Illegal ImmigrationBriony Anne Lonbay Kapoor, Rejoin EUClare Fischer, Climate PartyEwan Cameron, The Conservative Party CandidateGeorge Galloway, Workers PartyHelen Spiby-Vann, Christian Peoples AllianceJonathan Silberman, Communist LeagueKetankumar Pipaliya, UK VOICE safer and stronger UKPatrick Thomas Stillman, Liberal DemocratsPeter Newman, Reform UKSagal Abdi-Wali, Labour PartyTom Darwood, IndepedentTyler Kurtis Johnson, Restore BritainZack Polanski, The Green Party
A Met spokesman said: “Officers were in Kentish Town on Saturday, 26 September in response to a small protest by a group, which was demonstrating against people who were canvassing in the area on behalf of a political party.
“Officers were present to prevent any breach of the peace between the two groups. The Met’s role is to remain impartial, carefully balancing individuals’ right to protest with the rights of others to engage in political campaigning and democratic activity.
“While officers were in attendance, two men were arrested following separate altercations.
“An 18-year-old man, who was canvassing on behalf of the political party, was arrested on suspicion of assault. He has since been released with no further action taken after further enquiries.
“Separately, a 27-year-old man, who was part of the protest group, was also arrested on suspicion of assault. He remains in custody.
“We will continue to monitor situations like this in the future and keep our policing response under review, remaining flexible and proportionate as we seek to balance the rights and freedoms of all those involved. Where criminal offences are committed, officers will take appropriate action and enforce the law.”
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