Get the Echo newsletter - it has never been more important to stay informed Sign me up now Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Anti-facist supporters were celebrating today after an ‘embarrassing’ no-show from suspected far-right marchers due to protest in the city .

Scousers came out in force to oppose a planned march by the Mersey Nationalist s expected in Derby Square this morning.

The group said the protest was in support of a London march backed by far-right activist Tommy Robinson.

They had insisted the march would be to protest against the government’s ‘Brexit Betrayal’ - but anti-fascism campaigners said the group were about ‘whipping up racism’.

And more than a hundred people with anti-racism flags and placards gathered in the city centre to show their opposition to the group.

But hours after the Mersey Nationalists’ march was due to start there was no sign of them, as organisers of the counter-demo criticised the ‘pathetic’ no show.

(Image: Geoff Davies)

Last time far right marchers tried to come to Liverpool they failed to get out of Moorfields station as hundreds of people blocked their path.

And yesterday Unite Against Fascism had called on Scousers to show their opposition again.

The UAF statement said: "The 'Mersey Nationalists' say their protest is for 'anyone who can't make it' to a demonstration organised in London, on the same day, by founder of the far right English Defence League (EDL) Tommy Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.

"Robinson was recently appointed as an advisor to UKIP, whose leader Gerard Batten is also involved in the London demonstration.

"Robinson and the ‘Mersey Nationalists’ say their demos are about a ‘Brexit Betrayal’, but they are about whipping up racism.

"The people of Merseyside have a proud tradition of opposing racism and fascism, most recently in stopping the ‘Frontline Patriots’ from leaving Moorfields station."

(Image: Geoff Davies)

It appears that the counter-protestors might have scared Mersey Nationalists off, with organisers of the declaring victory after the group had failed to show up hours after the demonstration was set to start.

The march led by Mr Robinson still appears set to go ahead.

Mr Robinson’s appointment to UKIP as an advisor caused a wave of resignations in the party.

One time UKIP leader and Bootle native Paul Nuttall quit earlier this week after Mr Robinson was made an advisor, saying recruiting him would "appal" many voters.