Thousands at 'March for Europe' Brexit protest

                                        

Thousands of people are marching through London to protest against the referendum decision to leave the EU.

Demonstrators at the "March for Europe" rally, which was organised on social media, are holding placards saying "Bremain" and "We Love EU".

Protester Mark Thomas said the referendum campaign, which resulted in the UK voting by 52% to Leave, had not been fought "on a level playing field".

But critics said that those who lost the vote were "having a tantrum".

Demonstrators gathered around Park Lane before setting off for Parliament Square.

Mr Thomas said the referendum campaign "was full of misinformation and people need to do something with their frustration".

Father and daughter Bill Baker, 59, and Jess Baker, 22, from Islington, north London, had made a banner for the march which read: "I will always love EU."

Ms Baker said: "We didn't want to leave, but if you respect the decision of the referendum - which we should - we still want Britain to be EU orientated, outward looking and inclusive."

There are placards, signs and banners aplenty expressing anger and resentment at the way the Leave campaign was conducted but also frustration at what's seen as a lack of clear leadership in the aftermath of the vote.

Philippa Griffin, 40, from Hertfordshire, said: "I'm absolutely outraged at the way people voted, the lies the referendum was based on and the divide in the country because of it.

"My ideal outcome from this march is that MPs realise that leaving the EU is not what people truly want.

"It feels like our country has already changed."

The protest drew some criticism on social media under the #MarchforEurope hashtag, with posts pointing out that 17 million people had voted in support of Leave.

One user on Twitter accused the march of being "pathetic", adding: "Just people having a tantrum about the fact they didn't win."

Others shared GIFs of toddlers having tantrums and compared them to those taking part.

The Metropolitan Police said there would be officers at the event to provide "flexible and appropriate" policing.

Source: BBC