Brexit protests: Two arrested as ‘yellow vest’ activists block Westminster Bridge
Pro-Brexit protesters blocked the roads around Parliament on Saturday as activists launched a second consecutive day of demonstrations at Westminster.
Hundreds of people donned yellow vests and waved Union Jacks and UKIP flags to share their frustration over the UK’s delayed exit from the EU.
One group sat down in the middle of the road at Westminster Bridge for around 15 minutes, forcing Transport for London (TfL) to divert seven buses in the area.
Traffic was also diverted around Whitehall after a “public disturbance” between Horse Guards Avenue and Trafalgar Square, according to TfL.
The Metropolitan Police said two men had been arrested for “affray” – fighting in a public place – and were taken to a central London police station.
It follows much larger rallies held by Nigel Farage and Tommy Robinson outside Parliament on Friday – the day Britain was scheduled to leave the EU under Article 50.
Police made five arrests, including two for assault, while two opposition MPs leaving the Commons were subjected to public abuse by Brexiteers calling them “traitors”.
Journalists from Channel 4 News and CNN were also harassed by several of the demonstrators.
Earlier today police announced that a 44-year-old man draped in St George flag been arrested after he was found on the roof of St Pancras station.
All Eurostar trains from London were suspended until 9.45am on Saturday after the man was spotted “in a precarious position” over the high-speed lines late Friday evening.
The company said a reduced timetable was implemented, with customers being told they could exchange their ticket or apply for a refund.
The Metropolitan Police said several officers had been “engaging with a roaming protest” on Saturday afternoon, as the yellow vest activists moved around the Westminster area without any clear plan of action.
A spokesman for the force said: “Two men have been arrested at the demonstrations in central London for affray. Both have been taken to a central London police station.”