This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-47751805

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Brexit: Leave supporters rally outside Parliament Brexit: Leave supporters rally outside Parliament
(about 1 hour 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 are in Westminster protesting 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". Some protesters reacted with cheers, while others shouted "shame on you", as MPs rejected Prime Minister Theresa May's EU withdrawal agreement.
The March to Leave, which started in Sunderland a fortnight ago, has also arrived in Westminster. The March to Leave - which began in Sunderland two weeks ago - arrived in Parliament Square on Friday afternoon.
A Make Brexit Happen rally is also being held, organised by UKIP and involving English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson. A separate Make Brexit Happen rally, organised by UKIP, was also held.
Mr Robinson - whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon - has spoken to crowds, and UKIP leader Gerard Batten is due to speak later. The rally was backed by English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson, who spoke to crowds, along with UKIP leader Gerard Batten.
Meanwhile, a counter-protest by the group Stand Up to Racism is also planned for Friday afternoon. Meanwhile, at the March to Leave protest, former UKIP leader Nigel Farage and Tory Brexiteer MP Mark Francois delivered speeches.
It comes as MPs rejected Prime Minister Theresa May's withdrawal deal, which she negotiated with the EU, by 58 votes. A counter-protest by the group Stand Up to Racism is also taking place in Westminster.
It comes as MPs on Friday 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.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.
Friday's defeat of the withdrawal agreement, which was separated from the political declaration part of Mrs May's deal, led to mixed reactions.
Some in the crowd, who saw the deal as too soft, welcomed its rejection, while others feared it could mean another EU referendum might be possible.
Former UKIP leader and Brexiteer Nigel Farage spoke at the March to Leave rally - organised by campaign group Leave Means Leave - and was greeted by loud cheers as he took to the stage.Former UKIP leader and Brexiteer Nigel Farage spoke at the March to Leave rally - organised by campaign group Leave Means Leave - and was greeted by loud cheers as he took to the stage.
"It's brave of you to come," he told demonstrators. "Because I sense, being in Westminster, that we are in enemy territory."It's brave of you to come," he told demonstrators. "Because I sense, being in Westminster, that we are in enemy territory.
"There are hundreds of people just over the street that have treated that referendum and those who voted for it with total and utter contempt of the past three years." "There are hundreds of people just over the street that have treated that referendum, and those who voted for it, with total and utter contempt for the past three years."
Mr Farage told Leave supporters "not to be disheartened", and also signalled that he would be willing to stand again as an MEP if the UK takes part in the European Parliament elections in May.
Strange atmosphere in Parliament SquareStrange atmosphere in Parliament Square
By BBC home affairs correspondent Dominic CascianiBy 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.
After Friday's result, some protesters outside Parliament shouted: "Shame on you". But others cheered when the result was announced. UKIP leader Gerard Batten told the crowd at the Make Brexit Happen protest: "As of now we do not know when we are going to leave the European Union.
Mr Robinson, who spoke to crowds at the separate Make Brexit Happen protest, 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. "Theresa May has had, for the third time, her not-really-leaving deal rejected by Parliament."
He added: "What we do know is that if we do not leave the EU it will mark the end of democracy in the UK."
Mr Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon - also took to the stage, addressing the confusion over the latest defeat of the deal: "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."
'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 was also at the scene, said there were some pro-Remain campaign groups demonstrating in central London.
She said: "There are some pro-Remain campaign groups demonstrating in London today. "But at the moment here, the majority are pro-Brexit supporters," she said, "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, like those worn by the "gilets jaunes" anti-government rioters in Paris.
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. Campaign group Stand Up to Racism also held a counter-protest in central London, saying it was there "against the far right who are trying to capitalise on the Brexit crisis".
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.