Introduction

The far-right party at the centre of a violent confrontation with anti-racism activists in Melbourne has denied it incited violence during that rally. Police say they are reviewing footage of Saturday’s protest by a group known as the United Patriots Front in Melton. But party leader Blair Cottrell denied his group was responsible for the violence and says he has been unfairly targeted. “We were attacked on the day while we were singing our national anthem,” he said. “It was an extremely violent attack from a well-organised, trained and well-funded pack of thugs. And these people have been largely ignored in the media.”

Councils tighten security after far-right protest

Following the far-right protest, which was held in Birmingham on Saturday, the council is reviewing footage of the event and working with police to identify those involved in any violence or malicious damage.

Captain Ian Houghton said: ‘We will continue to work closely with West Midlands Police as they investigate this incident. We have strengthened our security measures at community events by increasing both numbers and visibility of officers on patrol around them (as well as providing additional patrols). We have also reviewed all previous events on the calendar to ensure that they are safe for attendees and staff alike.’

The far-right party at the centre of a violent confrontation with anti-racism activists in Melbourne has denied it incited violence during that rally.

In a statement, they said they were attacked by anti-fascist protesters, who threw bricks and bottles at them while chanting “Nazi scum off our streets”.

They also said they were singing the national anthem when they were attacked by an extremely violent pack of thugs who outnumbered them five to one and had highly organised plans to attack them.”

Police say they are reviewing footage of Saturday’s protest by a group known as the United Patriots Front in Melton.

Police said they were reviewing footage of the protest to identify those involved in any violence or malicious damage. “We are also considering strengthening security measures at community events,” officer in charge of Victoria Police’s response to the protest, Senior Sergeant Chris Gaffaney-Smith said.

There were clashes between members of a far-right group and anti-fascist protesters when they gathered at an oval on Saturday afternoon. Eight United Patriots Front members required treatment for facial injuries after being sprayed with mace by anti-fascist campaigners, who had marched down Melton Road from the nearby town centre before clashing with UFPF supporters near their rally site. Two men and two women required hospital treatment for facial injuries during the incident; one man was treated at a local hospital while another was treated on site before being transported by ambulance to Royal Melbourne Hospital (RVH).

But party leader Blair Cottrell denied his group was responsible for the violence and says he has been unfairly targeted.

The party leader denied his group was responsible for the violence and says he has been unfairly targeted.

“I was singing out of tune, so they set upon me,” Mr Cottrell said. “I had a beer bottle smashed over my head.”

“We were attacked on the day while we were singing our national anthem,” he said.

Blair Cottrell, founder of the United Patriots Front and a member of the ruling Liberal Party in Victoria, said his group was attacked on the day while they were singing their national anthem.

“We were attacked by a pack of thugs who we believe were well-organised,” said Mr Cottrell. “It was an extremely violent attack from what I can tell.”

He said that three members of his organisation were left with severe injuries after being struck with baseball bats and crowbars during the fight which lasted about 10 minutes.

“It was an extremely violent attack from a well-organised, trained and well-funded pack of thugs. And these people have been largely ignored in the media.”

Blair Cottrell is the leader of the United Patriots Front (UPF), which has organised several rallies in Melbourne since last year to protest against Islamic immigration. UPF describes itself as an “independent” organisation with members across Australia, who want to stop Muslims coming into their country because they believe they will bring Sharia law into Australia and impose Islamic cultural traditions on all Australians.

The UPF’s website says it believes Islam should be banned because it promotes violence against non-Muslims; promotes population growth; prohibits alcohol consumption; discriminates against women; allows men to have multiple wives; criminalises homosexuality and adultery while allowing wife beating under certain circumstances; requires women cover their entire body (except face) when outside home/workplace…

‘Counter-action’ incited aggression, council says

“We are deeply concerned by the decision of the UPUF to organise a counter protest on Saturday,” Mr Anderson said.

“It has been reported that this event was organised by the United Patriots Front and was attended by dozens of far-right extremists who incited aggression against residents in our community.”

The Brimbank City Council released a statement saying it had received police confirmation that “counter-action” from protesters at the rally had led to clashes between both groups.

Council said that two men aged 20 and 23 who were part of the protest group were among those injured, one requiring hospital treatment.

In response, council said it would work with police to identify those involved in violence or malicious damage against property including vehicles and buildings belonging to local businesses.

It said police had confirmed that eight members of both groups were injured during the clashes, with two men and women requiring hospital treatment for facial injuries.

The council said police had confirmed that eight members of both groups were injured during the clashes, with two men and women requiring hospital treatment for facial injuries.

It said it would work closely with police to help identify those involved in any violence or malicious damage.

The council said it would work closely with police to help identify those involved in any violence or malicious damage.

• The council said it would work closely with police to help identify those involved in any violence or malicious damage.
• The council said it would strengthen its security measures to prevent similar incidents happening again.

It said it would also strengthen its security measures at community events to prevent similar incidents being repeated.

The council said it would also strengthen its security measures at community events to prevent similar incidents being repeated.

It said it would work closely with police to help identify those involved in any violence or malicious damage, with a view to bringing them to justice if appropriate.

The council will review footage of the protest in light of this incident and will continue to work with partners including London Boroughs and local groups on preventing hate crime and extremism from occurring within our communities.”

Conclusion

The council said it was working closely with police to identify those responsible for any violence or malicious damage.