Breitbart reporters hounded from UKIP election launch by anti-racism protesters

UKIP’s election launch got off to a shaky start today when anti-racism protesters disrupted proceedings.

Two reporters from right-wing news network, Breitbart, were approached outside the central London venue by members of Stand Up To Racism.

One accused Breitbart’s former executive chairman Steve Bannon – now a White House chief strategist – of being an anti-Semite, before inviting the journalist to “come and speak to our Jewish members”.

The journalist responded to the protester that Mr Bannon “is not a known anti-Semite and I am a journalist, I’m not the story here”.

A Jewish Stand Up To Racism member then accused the journalist of “coming here, whipping up racism, supporting Paul Nuttall – it is an absolute disgrace. You should be ashamed of yourself.”

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Naima Omar, from Stand Up To Racism, told Yahoo News that the organisation stood by what their members said during the confrontation.

She said: “If he’s willing to speak such racism across the paper then he should be more than happy to confront people on that issue.

“He didn’t really speak back much because he knew what he was doing was wrong. Maybe he had a first hand experience of what his work is doing to others?”

The event at Marriott County Hall hadn’t even started when protesters arrived carrying signs reading ‘Migrants & refugees welcome here’ and ‘No to Islamophobia’

One, identified as Weyman Bennett shouted: “It’s time that we stood up against UKIP and racism – it is wrong. Mr Nuttall is wrong,” while security attempted to force him to leave.

Mr Bennett went on to launch a no-holds barred attack on the UKIP leader, which was caught on film.

Steve Bannon has consistently denied being an anti-Semite.

Yahoo News has contacted Breitbart News Network for comment, which is known to have a number of practicing and Orthodox Jewish people working at the company in management and as reporters

Earlier Mr Nuttall had to say that a would-be Ukip candidate could be blocked from standing in the General Election because of her outspoken views on Islam.

Anne Marie Waters, who is due to contest the Lewisham East seat in south London on June 8, has made comments that go “way above and beyond” party policy and made him feel “uncomfortable”, the Ukip leader said.

A decision on her fate will be made after a meeting of the party’s ruling national executive committee (NEC) on Friday afternoon, he added.

In a campaign video message, Ms Waters said: “Whether it is politically correct to say it or not, people are concerned about Muslim immigration.

“They are concerned because Islamic culture does not fit with ours, and it is our culture that is being sacrificed. They are concerned that their children are at risk of rape and sexual abuse.

“They are concerned about ineffective policing and the breakdown of law and order. They want leadership that will stand for them, speak for them, they want leadership for Britain.”

Challenged about her views, Mr Nuttall told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “She is not standing. She has been selected by the local branch.

“This is all coming up this afternoon at the National Executive Committee. We will be looking at some of the things this woman has said and we will take a decision then.”