Refugees Welcome Here Rally Attracts Thousands

Tens of thousands of people have marched through central London to protest against the government's handling of the refugee crisis.

The protest featured a speech by Jeremy Corbyn, who was earlier announced as the new Labour party leader .

In words addressed to the government, he told the crowd: "Recognise your obligations in law, that would be good.

"Recognise your obligations to help people which you're required to do by law, that would be good.

"But above all, open your hearts and open your minds and open your attitude towards supporting people who are desperate, who need somewhere safe to live, want to contribute to our society, and are human beings just like all of us.

"Together in peace, together in justice, together in humanity, that surely must be our way forward."

There were also marches held in other UK cities, including Belfast, Bristol, Glasgow, York, Brighton, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Manchester.

In London, musician Billy Bragg, civil liberties campaigners Shami Chakrabarti and Bianca Jagger, Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron and Green Party leader Natalie Bennett were among those who addressed protesters.

Speaking from the protest, Bragg said: "The demonisation of people in need that's gone on in this country is not the kind of Britain I grew up in: that everyone who is in need is a scrounger and all refugees are terrorists.

"It's not the compassionate society I want Britain to be seen as around the world."

The march, backed by organisations including Amnesty International, the Syria Solidarity and Stand Up To Racism, was led by a number of refugees and ended at Parliament Square.

Kate Allen, director of Amnesty International, said: "This is a critical moment ahead of the EU leaders meeting on Monday to make our voices heard loud and clear.

"We should remember the proud moments in the UK's history when we have opened our doors to people when they are most in need, and we should not be turning our backs now on those caught up in what has become the biggest refugee crisis since the Second World War."

Bianca Jagger, president of the Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation, said: "My heart goes out to those seeking refuge in Europe.

"We should never forget that our Government's misguided policies and illegal military interventions have played a critical role in causing this humanitarian crisis."

Prime Minister David Cameron announced earlier this week 20,000 more vulnerable people from refugee camps in the Middle East will be allowed into the UK.

But he has resisted calls for Britain to be involved in a European Commission plan to resettle 160,000 migrants who have arrived in southern Europe in recent months.