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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/jan/13/sadiq-khan-speech-disrupted-by-protesters-backing-brexit-and-trump-white-pendragons
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Sadiq Khan speech disrupted by Brexit and Trump supporters | Sadiq Khan speech disrupted by Brexit and Trump supporters |
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A group of protesters backing Brexit and Donald Trump have disrupted a speech by the London mayor, Sadiq Khan. | A group of protesters backing Brexit and Donald Trump have disrupted a speech by the London mayor, Sadiq Khan. |
Khan’s address on gender equality to the Fabian Society in central London was suspended for several minutes on Saturday morning while a small number of demonstrators from a recently formed far-right group called the White Pendragons made their protest. | Khan’s address on gender equality to the Fabian Society in central London was suspended for several minutes on Saturday morning while a small number of demonstrators from a recently formed far-right group called the White Pendragons made their protest. |
Shortly after Khan began speaking at the society’s new year conference, one man told the audience: “Ladies and gentlemen, we’re here today to make a non-violent, peaceful citizen’s arrest.” | Shortly after Khan began speaking at the society’s new year conference, one man told the audience: “Ladies and gentlemen, we’re here today to make a non-violent, peaceful citizen’s arrest.” |
One man shouted “No to the EU” and another displayed a US flag. | One man shouted “No to the EU” and another displayed a US flag. |
Audience members began to heckle and slow-clap, but the protesters resisted attempts to remove them, claiming they would sue anyone who touched them for “common assault”. | Audience members began to heckle and slow-clap, but the protesters resisted attempts to remove them, claiming they would sue anyone who touched them for “common assault”. |
Several police officers then moved in to escort them from the venue. | Several police officers then moved in to escort them from the venue. |
The protesters claimed the Fabian Society was “subverting our English constitution”, with one quoting the Magna Carta. | The protesters claimed the Fabian Society was “subverting our English constitution”, with one quoting the Magna Carta. |
Outside the hall, the ITV News reporter Paul Brand asked them several times for clarity about their objection to the society, but failed to get a clear response. | Outside the hall, the ITV News reporter Paul Brand asked them several times for clarity about their objection to the society, but failed to get a clear response. |
He said in a tweet that they claimed to be neither a racist, nor a far-right group. “But they told us Sadiq Khan has no right to be Mayor of London, referencing his religion.” | He said in a tweet that they claimed to be neither a racist, nor a far-right group. “But they told us Sadiq Khan has no right to be Mayor of London, referencing his religion.” |
When Khan, a former chair of the Fabian Society, resumed his speech he quipped: “On the plus side, I wasn’t served with a P45” – a reference to Theresa May’s Tory conference speech that was interrupted by a prankster. | When Khan, a former chair of the Fabian Society, resumed his speech he quipped: “On the plus side, I wasn’t served with a P45” – a reference to Theresa May’s Tory conference speech that was interrupted by a prankster. |
The mayor added: “It is a pleasure to be here even though we were distracted by the actions of what some would call very stable geniuses.” | The mayor added: “It is a pleasure to be here even though we were distracted by the actions of what some would call very stable geniuses.” |
#Fab18 conference slightly delayed by Trump supporters who wouldn't let Sadiq Kahn speak. The police had to intervene and remove the group of – in Kahn's words – 'very stable geniuses' pic.twitter.com/d7sVx9Dc1j | #Fab18 conference slightly delayed by Trump supporters who wouldn't let Sadiq Kahn speak. The police had to intervene and remove the group of – in Kahn's words – 'very stable geniuses' pic.twitter.com/d7sVx9Dc1j |
Last Saturday the US president used the same phrase to describe himself in a tweet following questions about his mental health. | Last Saturday the US president used the same phrase to describe himself in a tweet following questions about his mental health. |