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'Britain First is not welcome here' - that is the clear and frank message from the Mayor of Ramsgate Trevor Shonk after the group announced plans to hold a demonstration in the town .

The far-right activists revealed they would be holding a rally in Ramsgate in relation to the conviction of four men who gang-raped a teenager.

Britain First and other far-right groups have been actively campaigning around the trial since the men were arrested after the horrific crime which took place above 555 Pizza and Kebab, in Northwood Road, in September last year.

But Cllr Shonk, UKIP, has slammed their latest plans to hold a rally in Ramsgate and said they would not be welcome.

Cllr Shonk said: "This is the problem with this country, people forget that the law is the law and it is final.

"Hopefully the law is upheld again and sentencing is significant in this situation.

"But people shouldn't be taking these things into their own hands.

"We have all read all the awful stories about that case, it is terrible but the law should be left to take its course without all this far right stuff."

Britain First announced plans to hold a gathering outside Ramsgate railway station on October 14, with a number of key figures from the group pipped to appear, including leader Paul Golding and deputy leader Jayda Fransen.

The leader and deputy leader were arrested earlier this year for "inciting religious hatred" during the trial, and are currently understood to still be on police bail as they await their trial date.

Just weeks ago Ms Fransen posted a live video from a police station in Kent, claiming that Mr Golding had been "taken into custody " again after they were called back by Kent Police as part of their bail terms.

A flyer announcing the Ramsgate protest reads: "Paul Golding, Jayda Fransen and Steve Lewis are being persecuted for exposing the Ramsgate migrant rapists."

The exact details of the gathering are not yet known, but the group is known for holding public rallies and marches – though they are often shut down by police.

The group has protested outside the takeaway before, banging on the windows and shouting at shop staff.

But Cllr Shonk said their protests do more damage to the country than good.

'Britain First is not welcome'

He added: "I'm not against protests, you can campaign in a nice way but Britain First don't do that.

"We seem to be a very divided country at the moment and this does not help anyone.

"I am not supportive of this protest in any way. The law of the country comes first.

"My doors are open to help anyone from all over. We are diverse here in Ramsgate and I'm proud of that.

"It is a wonderful place and the negativity of groups like Britain First is not welcome."

