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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Brexit: Leave supporters rally outside Parliament | Brexit: Leave supporters rally outside Parliament |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Thousands of Leave supporters have gathered outside Parliament to protest against the delay to Brexit, on the day the UK had been due to leave the EU. | Thousands of Leave supporters have gathered outside Parliament to protest against the delay to Brexit, on the day the UK had been due to leave the EU. |
| Traffic was brought to a standstill, amid chants of "Brexit now". | Traffic was brought to a standstill, amid chants of "Brexit now". |
| The March to Leave, which started in Sunderland a fortnight ago, has also arrived in Westminster. | The March to Leave, which started in Sunderland a fortnight ago, has also arrived in Westminster. |
| A Make Brexit Happen rally is also being held, organised by UKIP and involving English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson. | A Make Brexit Happen rally is also being held, organised by UKIP and involving English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson. |
| Mr Robinson - whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon - has spoken to crowds, and UKIP leader Gerard Batten is due to speak later. | Mr Robinson - whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon - has spoken to crowds, and UKIP leader Gerard Batten is due to speak later. |
| Meanwhile, a counter-protest by the group Stand Up to Racism is also planned for Friday afternoon. | Meanwhile, a counter-protest by the group Stand Up to Racism is also planned for Friday afternoon. |
| It comes as MPs rejected Prime Minister Theresa May's withdrawal deal, which she negotiated with the EU, by 58 votes. | It comes as MPs rejected Prime Minister Theresa May's withdrawal deal, which she negotiated with the EU, by 58 votes. |
| The UK had been due to leave the EU on 29 March, but both sides agreed to postpone the date last week after Mrs May had twice been unable to get her Brexit deal through the Commons. | |
| After Friday's result, some protesters outside Parliament shouted: "Shame on you". But others cheered when the result was announced. | After Friday's result, some protesters outside Parliament shouted: "Shame on you". But others cheered when the result was announced. |
| Mr Robinson, speaking to crowds, addressed the confusion over the latest defeat of the deal, and said: "So Theresa May has lost her vote. Many people will be asking what does that even mean. | Mr Robinson, speaking to crowds, addressed the confusion over the latest defeat of the deal, and said: "So Theresa May has lost her vote. Many people will be asking what does that even mean. |
| "It means we were betrayed. Today is supposed to be our Independence Day." | "It means we were betrayed. Today is supposed to be our Independence Day." |
| Strange atmosphere in Parliament Square | Strange atmosphere in Parliament Square |
| By BBC home affairs correspondent Dominic Casciani | By BBC home affairs correspondent Dominic Casciani |
| The mood and atmosphere in Parliament Square is very strange for a demonstration. | The mood and atmosphere in Parliament Square is very strange for a demonstration. |
| There is a really significant police presence, yet a lot of quiet but angry, angry people who believe that Parliament has "betrayed" Brexit. | There is a really significant police presence, yet a lot of quiet but angry, angry people who believe that Parliament has "betrayed" Brexit. |
| When the news came through that MPs had, yet again, refused to back the PM's draft deal, the reaction was rather muted. | When the news came through that MPs had, yet again, refused to back the PM's draft deal, the reaction was rather muted. |
| George, from St Albans, told me he was satisfied, because he hoped the UK could now crash out without a deal, as the public demanded. | George, from St Albans, told me he was satisfied, because he hoped the UK could now crash out without a deal, as the public demanded. |
| One man has a coffin as a prop, declaring the death of democracy. "Bring out your dead," goes the prop's recording. | One man has a coffin as a prop, declaring the death of democracy. "Bring out your dead," goes the prop's recording. |
| 'Angry and frustrated' | 'Angry and frustrated' |
| The BBC's Sarah Walton, who is also at the scene, said people have been meeting in different parts of central London and making their way to Parliament Square. | The BBC's Sarah Walton, who is also at the scene, said people have been meeting in different parts of central London and making their way to Parliament Square. |
| She said: "There are some pro-Remain campaign groups demonstrating in London today. | She said: "There are some pro-Remain campaign groups demonstrating in London today. |
| "But at the moment here, the majority are pro-Brexit supporters, some of whom have been telling me that they were always planning on coming to London today, 29 March, but for a celebration to celebrate the day the UK would leave the EU." | "But at the moment here, the majority are pro-Brexit supporters, some of whom have been telling me that they were always planning on coming to London today, 29 March, but for a celebration to celebrate the day the UK would leave the EU." |
| "People have been saying they have come here from all across the country. They are angry and frustrated. Some of the rally groups have said they plan to be here well into the evening." | "People have been saying they have come here from all across the country. They are angry and frustrated. Some of the rally groups have said they plan to be here well into the evening." |
| A large stage has been set up for the UKIP rally, and a second stage has been set up by campaign group Leave Means Leave for the marchers - where Brexiteer Nigel Farage is due to speak later. | |
| David Coburn, a Scottish MEP who belongs to the newly established Brexit Party, praised the march, saying: "Excellent, isn't it? It's like Cromwell's Army." | David Coburn, a Scottish MEP who belongs to the newly established Brexit Party, praised the march, saying: "Excellent, isn't it? It's like Cromwell's Army." |
| Some of the protesters wore hi-vis yellow vests. | Some of the protesters wore hi-vis yellow vests. |
| Former black cab driver Colin Grostate, who was at the demonstration, said they were a "symbol from France", adding: "We support the populism. | Former black cab driver Colin Grostate, who was at the demonstration, said they were a "symbol from France", adding: "We support the populism. |
| "Our politicians are not listening. Too many people are trying to stop what people voted for." | "Our politicians are not listening. Too many people are trying to stop what people voted for." |
| As the March to Leave travelled on its last leg from Chelsea to Westminster, rolling road closures were used to manage traffic. | As the March to Leave travelled on its last leg from Chelsea to Westminster, rolling road closures were used to manage traffic. |
| Roads around Parliament Square were also closed due to the Brexit demonstrations. | Roads around Parliament Square were also closed due to the Brexit demonstrations. |
| The Metropolitan Police said it had "appropriate policing plans" in place. | The Metropolitan Police said it had "appropriate policing plans" in place. |