Anti-fascism group stages counter-protest as more than 100 far-right protesters gather for demonstration over planned construction

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Far-right protesters wearing swastikas and performing Nazi salutes descended on a town in Greater Manchester in protest against a planned mosque.

More than 100 people gathered in the centre of Bolton on Saturday to demonstrate against the proposed construction of a mosque and Islamic centre. The mosque has already been given planning permission.

A similar number of activists are believed to have taken part in a counter-protest started by Unite Against Fascism (UAF).

The demonstrators could be seen shouting and swapping insults over barriers outside Bolton’s main square, as police admitted they had no power to stop the legal protest.

Footage showed the group – some trying to cover their faces – raising their hand in salute as they held signs stating “no more mosques”. They were met with chants of “Nazi scum, off our streets” from those representing Unite Against Fascism.

The “stop the mosque” protesters also accused Bolton council of being corrupt. One of the protest’s organisers said his group was opposed to what he claimed was the “Islamification” of their town.

Organiser Bryan Morgan said: “Today was about highlighting the corruption of the council, the Islamification of the town, the mosque-building programme. There were a plethora of issues people were here to represent. Anytime anyone opposes anything to do with colour creed or religion automatically the race card is pulled out. If they bothered to sit down and look at it they’d see some of the issues being raised are ones both sides agree on.”

Rival demonstrators were kept separated by fenced off areas in Victoria Square outside the town hall .

Nick Peel, a local councillor, described the protest as “un-British”, adding: “Obviously everybody has a right to protest. However, I understand the nature of it was described as ‘anti-mosque’. Well that is ridiculous in the free and open society we live in.

“One of our most enshrined values is freedom of worship to for one section of the community to protest against worship facilities for another section is very un-British.”

Greater Manchester police said no arrests had been made.