Counter-demo outnumbers anti-immigration protest
BBCPeople protesting illegal immigration into the UK have been met by a larger counter-demonstration.
Around 150 protesters took to the streets of Taunton waving flags and holding placards on Saturday afternoon, at a march Britain First leader, Paul Golding, had been expected to speak at, but did not attend.
They were met on High Street by around 250 counter-demonstrators, including town politicians. The two sides were kept separate.
A significant contingent of 110 police officers, 22 of whom came from other forces from other areas, were called in to observe the protest, which passed peacefully with no arrests.
Police powers to disperse crowds (under Section 34 of the Antisocial Behaviour and Policing Act 2014) will remain in place in central Taunton until 18:00 BST.
Anti-immigration protester Sean Robins, 65, told BBC West he felt unfairly tarred with a far-right brush.
"It's an utter smokescreen. I'm not far-right because I have a social conscience," he said.
"But part of that social conscience is not wanting all these young men coming over here and ripping us off."
Online publicity had suggested the march was organised by Britain First, but there was little visible evidence to suggest this was the case, including Golding's absence and a lack of signage.
Somerset Council leader Bill Revans and Taunton's Liberal Democrat MP, Gideon Amos, took part in the counter-protest.
"[I'm] absolutely determined Somerset should remain a welcoming place for people," Revans said.
Amos added: "They don't represent what's best about Britain, they don't represent what's strong about our community, which is the fact people who've come here from all over the world have made Taunton a stronger place."
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