A Sky News reporter giving a live report on a developing stand-off between far-right thugs and locals in Birmingham was interrupted by a protester on a motorbike who swore and made rude gestures at the camera.
Masked groups have turned out in the Alum Rock and Bordesley Green areas after rumours circulated in a far-right Telegram group of thugs heading to the city.
Some of those who turned up to a McDonalds in the area confronted Sky News reporter Becky Johnson as she delivered a live report to anchorman Mark Austin – riding up to her on a motorbike as she spoke to the camera.
As she reported that local community leaders had been speaking to police about the gatherings, the man shouted: ‘Yo, free Palestine, f*** the EDL (English Defence League)’.
He was then surrounded by accomplices who approached the camera as it sought to turn away and crop them out of the scene – while Ms Johnson attempted to apologise for the language used by the protesters.
Sky News reporter Becky Johnson was confronted by a gang of masked thugs live on TV
The protester shouted ‘Free Palestine, f*** the EDL’ as the reporter looked on and associates joined him
The camera was then turned away from the gathering – but some of those who turned up in masks followed it and gestured at the camera
Sky’s Mark Austin apologised to viewers for the language used and assured viewers that the presenter would ‘have security’ with her
Birmingham Yardley MP Jess Phillips claimed local Muslims had gathered in the streets in response to discussions of a far-right rally in the city
The broadcast was then ended as Mark Austin said: ‘We need to leave you there and Becky will have security there.’ He also apologised for the language.
Videos from Birmingham tonight show large groups of men, some wearing masks and waving Palestine flags, gathering on the centre of a roundabout next to the McDonalds.
Local councillors turned out, seemingly in support of the community turning out in the area in response to rumours of a far-right protest that spread online last night.
In remarks reported by Birmingham Live, Yardley West and Stechford Cllr Baber Baz He said: ‘As you can see there has been a strong response form the community.
‘As long as it remains peaceful which I am sure it will we are sending a strong message to the EDL that they are not welcome here and will not divide our community.’
Jess Phillips, Labour MP for the area, claimed on social media that local Muslims had been coaxed out onto the streets by the rumours.
‘To be clear all day rumours have been spread that a far right group were coming and it was done entirely to get Muslim people out on the street to drive this content,’ she wrote on X, responding to the Sky News footage.
‘These people came to this location because it has been spread that racists were coming to attack them.’
West Midlands Police has not issued a statement on the gathering.
A representative for the force would only confirm to MailOnline that officers had been deployed in the area.
Chief constable Craig Guildford said earlier today the force has been monitoring ‘local and national intelligence’ on further gatherings in the wake of the Southport killings last Monday.
‘My message of support remains unchanged, insofar as, the police will deal with protestors professionally and directly,’ he said.
Murmurs of a far-right in Birmingham spread on social media earlier today, and were the subject of discussion in a racist Telegram group linked to the initial violence in Southport after three girls were killed last week.
One message, shared on the group at 1.30am today and seen by MailOnline, read: ‘Where’s the meet in alum rock Iv got 50 lads Chelmsley wood ready.’
A flaming wheelie bin is pushed towards officers during a violent demonstration in Middlesbrough
Spellow Library was torched and looted, with pictures showing the burnt-out interior
Police officers have been injured in clashes with thugs, as far-right activists led the way in attacking police officers, mosques and hotels thought to house asylum seekers this week
Posts in a Telegram channel listed a series of immigration lawyers and advice centres and urged its 12,000 members to attack them at 8pm on Wednesday
Far-right protests spread across England and into Northern Ireland after the deaths of three little girls, fuelled by false information on social media
The group is littered with racist language and has shared violent footage of Christchurch mosque shooter Brenton Tarrant’s killings.
Southport has found itself at the centre of the turmoil engulfing the nation following the horrifying stabbing of children at a Taylor Swift dance event on Monday which led to the death of three girls.
Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar died following the attack. Axel Rudakubana, 17, has been charged with their murder and the attempted murder of 10 others.
Sir Keir Starmer last night lashed out at what he branded ‘far-right thuggery’ by those exploiting the Southport killings to loot, hurl fireworks, scrap with police and target mosques with violence.
The PM said: ‘People in this country have a right to be safe and yet we’ve seen Muslim communities targeted, attacks on mosques, other minority communities singled out, Nazi salutes in the street, attacks on the police, and wanton violence.
‘So no, I won’t shy away from calling it what it is: far-right thuggery.
‘To those who feel targeted because of the colour of your skin or your faith, I know how frightening this must be.
‘I want you to know that this violent mob does not represent our country, and we will bring them to justice.’
He has since promised a ‘standing army’ of specialist police officers is being assembled to crack down on rioting after an emergency Cobra meeting today.
Almost 400 people have been arrested since rioting began last week.
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