Far-right banner a 'desecration': MP

NORTHUMBERLAND MP demanded an apology from the organisers of a protest in his constituency after a banner bearing the name of a far-right group was displayed in front of a war memorial.

- JAMES ROBINSON

Blyth and Ashington MP Ian Lavery said the banner was “completely unacceptable” following a protest in Ashington on Saturday.

Images seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service showed protesters in front of the town’s war memorial carrying a banner for nationalist group Patriotic Alternative.

Northumbria Police has confirmed that no arrests were made and no offences have been recorded in connection with the protest.

Mr Lavery said he understood that residents were justified in their protest after decades of decline in the town. However, the long-serving Labour MP was furious that the banner was displayed in front of the war memorial.