Britain First leader Paul Golding arrested while attending deputy's court hearing in Belfast

The leader of far-right group Britain First, Paul Golding, has been arrested in Belfast over a speech made in the city.

Deputy leader Jayda Fransen claimed he had travelled to the city to support her at a court appearance for allegedly using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour at the same event.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed a 35-year-old man had been arrested at Laganside courts but did not say what offence he was suspected of committing.

“Detectives investigating speeches made at the Northern Ireland Against Terrorism Rally on Sunday 6 August this year have arrested a 35-year-old man,” a spokesperson said.

“He has been taken to Musgrave PSNI station for interview.”

Ms Fransen, who gained international notoriety after her Islamophobic tweets were shared by Donald Trump, claimed Mr Goulding was arrested on "trumped-up charges".

The 31-year-old was detained in London and flown to Belfast over a speech made at the rally in August.

Around a dozen people in the public gallery watched her appearance, which was adjourned until later on Thursday to hear a bail application.

Prosecutors said footage and transcripts of Ms Fransen’s speech “constitute the offences”, arguing for restrictions to prevent her speaking at further rallies.

A lawyer for Ms Fransen told the court: “This lady is as entitled to free expression within the law as anyone else.

“If there is an offence she will be arrested like everyone else…the idea that she be prevented from speaking in my respectful submission is completely disproportionate.”

Britain First styles itself as a political party but has been condemned by campaigners as a far-right extremist group.

It calls on supporters to join the “British resistance” and “secure a future for British children” and has become known for paramilitary-style “invasions” targeting mosques.

Theresa May’s official spokesman said it was “wrong” for the US President to share Britain First's messages, accusing the group of “seeking to divide communities through their use of hateful narratives which peddle lies and stoke tensions”.

"British people overwhelmingly reject the prejudice of the far right, which is the antithesis of the values that this country represents: decency, tolerance, and respect,” he added.

Additional reporting by PA