A protest is planned for when Tommy Robinson is due to visit Preston as part of his European elections campaign.

Mr Robinson is seeking to be elected as an MEP and is understood to be visiting Preston during Monday (20 May).

Advertisements

A Peace, Love and Milkshake party has been organised at the same time as the far-right campaigner is due to visit the city.

They state: “Join us on in the Peace Garden in Friargate for a Peace, Love and Milkshake Party to take a stand against the visit of “Tommy Robinson” (Stephen Yaxley-Lennon) in our peaceful and multicultural city of Preston.

“Feel free to bring your own milkshake – to drink only – No throwing – but there will also be free milkshake provided. There will also be music. Bring your friends.

“This is an event to celebrate peace, love, diversity and positive vibes.”

The event is due to take place from 6pm on Monday (20 May).

Read more: Labour retain their grip on power in the city

A spokeswoman for Preston City Council confirmed they had asked the organisers of the milkshake event to complete a form for holding the event on the Flag Market. During Friday (17 May) afternoon the organisers confirmed they would be hosting the event at the Peace Garden at the top of Friargate rather than the Flag Market.

Both the city council and Lancashire Police said they had no exact details of when Tommy Robinson was due to be in Preston.

A spokeswoman for Lancashire Police said: “Our role is to facilitate a safe and peaceful event where Mr Robinson is allowed to exercise his right to campaign.

“Our policing style will be low key, fair and friendly but firm where we need to be. We are impartial and will act when needed to uphold the democratic process of the European Parliamentary elections.

“Any incidents of crime or disorder associated with the event will not be tolerated and we will take action where necessary.

“We recognise the impact this visit could have on the wider community and we will seek to limit the impact on the community where possible whilst at the same time facilitating the right to carry out a lawful election campaign.

“We recognise and will facilitate the right to peaceful protest. If protest does occur we will provide a lawful and proportionate policing response, balancing the needs and rights of protestors with those impacted by the protest.”

A Preston Muslim charity, the Light Foundation, said Tommy Robinson had not confirmed their request for a peaceful meeting with themselves when he visited the city.

Another anti-Tommy Robinson protest is due to take place on Saturday (18 May).

Read more: All the candidates for May’s European Elections in the North West

Members of Stand Up To Racism and Unite Against Fascism will be leafleting the city from 11am to 2pm from Orchard Street near the Black Horse pub.