Scotland Yard has condemned "baseless" and "nonsense" claims by Ukip’s leader that police could use a water cannon on Brexit protesters in London.

Gerard Batten, whose party has veered towards the far right under his leadership, falsely suggested the Metropolitan Police could deploy the equipment - which the force does not own - to quell disorder as demonstrations take place on Friday.

Police are braced for potential unrest as several pro-Brexit groups, including Ukip, hold rallies in the capital on the day the UK was originally scheduled to leave the EU.

“There are reports that water cannon may be deployed tomorrow in London, & that some of the police may try to aggregate [sic] and provoke Brexiteers,” tweeted Mr Batten, giving no examples of the “reports” he cited.

“There is always the danger of provocateurs planted to cause trouble,” he added. “I hope it is not true but I call on everyone present to be peaceful.”

Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Show all 30 1 /30 Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Pro-Brexit leave the European Union supporters attend a rally in Parliament Square after the final leg of the "March to Leave" in London AP Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit The protest march which started on March 16 in Sunderland, north east England, finished on what was the original date for Brexit to happen before the recent extension Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter holds up a poster during a rally after the final leg of the "March to Leave" in London, Friday, March 29, 2019. Pro-Brexit demonstrators were gathering in central London on the day that Britain was originally scheduled to leave the European Union. (AP Photo/ Kirsty Wigglesworth) Kirsty Wigglesworth AP Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A pro-Brexit protester holds a sign next to a statue of Winston Churchill at the March to Leave demonstration in London, Britain March 29, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville TOBY MELVILLE Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit demonstrators in Parliament Square in Westminster, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday March 29, 2019. See PA story POLITICS Brexit. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire Jonathan Brady PA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Pro-Brexit protesters hold signs and wave flags at the March to Leave demonstration in London, Britain March 29, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville TOBY MELVILLE Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit epa07471421 Pro-Brexit protesters gather outside of the Parliament for Nigel Farage's 'March to Leave' in London, Britain, 29 March 2019. MPs rejected Prime Minister's May EU withdrawal agreement earlier in the day. EPA/NEIL HALL NEIL HALL EPA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter sips a can of Stella in protests outside of the Houses of Parliament AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Dedicated anti-Brexit campaigner Steve Bray and likewise pro-Brexit campaigner Joseph Afrane go head to head near the Houses of Parliament AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A pro-Brexit marching band in Parliament Square Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Remain supporters wave EU flags from a bus in Parliament Square PA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter shouts slogans outside parliament EPA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter protests outside parliament Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter protests outside of the Houses of Parliament Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit supporters protest outside of the Houses of Parliament REUTERS Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A pro-Brexit flag is waved in Parliament Square AP Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit The March to Leave nears the Houses of Parliament Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit protester holds a sign outside parliament EPA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit supporters carry the coffin of democracy AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit supporters march outside parliament AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit supporters take part in the March to Leave protest in London PA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit supporters protest outside parliament AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter holds a sign outside the Houses of Parliament Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A man holds satirical paintings of politicians Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit An pro-Brexit float on the March to Leave march in London Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Far-right activist Tommy Robinson addresses protesters outside the Houses of Parliament Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter outside the Houses of Parliament Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Tommy Robinson supporter arrives at the Houses of Parliament Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A jogger gestures rudely at a Brexit supporter outside of the Houses of Parliament AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter outside the Houses of Parliament PA

Responding on Twitter, the Metropolitan Police said any suggestion it could use a water cannon was "indisputably false".

"No water cannons are owned or used by the Met Police," it added. "Any suggestion that we are intending to use water cannons or seeking to agitate any protestors is baseless and false."

Ukip has veered to the far right under Gerard Batten (AP)

A Scotland Yard spokesman told The Independent Mr Batten's claim was “nonsense”.

The use of water cannons to disperse disorder is banned in Britain.

Last year London mayor Sadiq Khan sold three unuseable armoured water cannons which had been bought by his predecessor Boris Johnson in 2014.

Mr Johnson paid £322,000 to acquire and refit the second-hand machines, which were not licensed for use in the UK. The next year Theresa May, then home secretary, banned their use in riot situations.

The cannons were sold to a Nottinghamshire scrap dealer for £11,025 in November 2018, a loss of almost £311,000.

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

Scotland Yard said there was no indication protests planned for Friday would not be largely peaceful, but added it was ready to respond "if disorder breaks out".

Ukip, Tommy Robinson, the UK “yellow vests”, the Democratic Football Lads Alliance, and Leave Means Leave campaigners are all holding demonstrations on the day MPs vote on Theresa May's Brexit deal in parliament.