'We're not racist and we're not far right' - Anti-immigration demonstrators gather in Newcastle city centre

"We're not racist and we're not far right". That's the message from a group of anti-immigration demonstrators who gathered in Newcastle city centre today.

Members of Britain United, a group which was launched online two weeks ago, met at the South African War Memorial outside Haymarket Metro Station from 2pm this afternoon.

'Rule, Britannia', the National Anthem and recorded speeches previously given by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, were played out over a megaphone by the group of around 12 people, who held Union flags and placards. One of the placards read "Save our culture. Save our values and beliefs. Save our heritage and history."

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Jade Pearson, who attended the demonstration, also led chants over the megaphone of messages such as "House our veterans before the boats", "Help our veterans before anyone else" and "Protect our culture".

Speaking to ChronicleLive, the 29-year-old, from South Shields, said: "If [migrants] are going to come over here they should be doing it the proper way [and] our homeless veterans should be housed first. If there was no homeless on the streets then fine, come on over. I'll even pay for your housing."

She added: "We're branded as far right but we're not far right or racist."

The organisers, who were in attendance but asked not to be named, also had a similar message. They said: "We're not racist and we're not far right. What we're sick of is people coming over illegally without having any conditions checks and getting housed when we've got war veterans on our streets and pensioners without warm homes."

One of the organisers added: "I spoke to someone at Team Valley and he said he'd tried to get help but couldn’t because it was seen as he had made himself intentionally homeless. But people who have come over here made themselves intentionally homeless."

The organisers said that the demonstration was arranged last week and while only a small number attended today, the group has around 200 members in a short space of time.

They added: "Britain United have made it plain and simple. To join the group there is no racism and no violence."