Politicians condemn early morning masked march

Politicians in Sheffield have condemned an early morning march by anti-illegal immigration protesters in the city.

Dozens of people clad in black clothing, many of whom were masked, held banners as they walked along Staniforth Road in Darnall on Sunday from 05:30 BST.

Zahira Naz, deputy leader of Sheffield City Council, said she was "horrified and angry" about the march. "Our communities should never have to wake up feeling intimidated, uninformed or unsafe in their own neighbourhoods," she added.

A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said they received reports of a gathering of people at 05:30 BST, officers attended and the group dispersed at about 08:40.

The force said after the group ended the protest, which it confirmed was organised via Patriot Platfom, there had been a report of graffiti but no arrests had been made.

Patriot Platform is an anti-illegal immigration group set up by Daniel Thomas, known as Danny Tommo, who is an associate of Tommy Robinson - real name Stephen Yaxley Lennon.

The group also blockaded the Port of Dover last month.

Thomas is due to go on trial in 2027 to face a charge of criminal damage after a video appeared to show him slashing at a dinghy that had an emergency responder on board in the English Channel.

Organisers of Patriot Platform have previously said they were building a working-class "voting bloc" to persuade political parties on the right to adopt their agenda.

The BBC has contacted a Sheffield group seemingly allied to the wider Patriot Platform group for comment on Sunday's protest.

Naz said she had spoken directly with council leadership, who she said "had received no intelligence" about the Darnall march.

"I have demanded answers from the police about how this happened and why residents were left completely in the dark," she told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

"This is unacceptable. Residents deserve answers, transparency and accountability.

"We cannot simply move on without understanding what happened and what will be done to prevent this happening again.

"Let me be clear: we will not allow fascism, racism or hatred to take hold in our communities."

Council leader Fran Belbin also condemned the march.

She said: "All politicians in our city should speak out for unity and against the divisions caused by racism, anti-semitism, Islamophobia and anti-migrant sentiments."

Leader of Sheffield Liberal Democrats and Dore and Totley Councillor Martin Smith said: "Everyone has the right to peaceful protest, but the intent of this disgraceful event was clearly intimidation.

He added: "Sheffield is an inclusive and welcoming city. We stand firmly against all forms of racism."

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