Good morning. We will be live in Birmingham city centre throughout the day as Britain First protesters and counter-demonstrators gather for sepatare events.
The far right Britain First gathering is expected to start at around noon near New Street station – despite city council protestations that it was not welcome.
The counter-protest is expected to form in Victoria Square from 11am.
Britain First has said: “With the slaughter of Henry Nowak and the attempted beheading of a British man in Belfast hanging over the nation, it’s time we all took determined political action.”
It did not clarify what “determined political action” looked like.
A counter-protest summary said: “On Saturday June 20, the far right hate group Britain First plans to bring its message to Birmingham calling for ‘Remigration and mass deportations’.
“This is a thinly veiled threat to half the population of Birmingham. This isn’t ignorance- it’s dangerous, white supremacist bigotry.”
You can read more about the backdrop to today’s gatherings here.