Lewisham East hustings closed down by police over safety fears

For Britain candidate Anne Marie Waters had been due to attend the event in Catford last night.

Police attended the hustings amid fears of a clash between her supporters and protesters.

But they closed the event down when a "large crowd gathered outside".

About 30 police officers were present as protestors from Stand Up to Racism and Lewisham Anti-Racist Action Group blocked members of the public and press getting inside the hustings, chanting "shame on you" at those who tried to force their way through.

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Ms Waters confirmed she had been told to stay away from the hustings by police.

She tweeted: "I have been told by police to stay away from the #LewishamEast hustings (having waited almost an hour with a security team) and that the event is now being shut down for public safety."

Anne Marie Waters

Police said one man was arrested on suspicion of assault, but he was de-arrested soon after.

A Met Police spokeswoman said: "A pre-planned hustings event at the Salvation Army centre in Brownhill Road, Catford, on Tuesday was closed down with the permission of the event organiser following concerns for public safety after a large crowd gathered outside the premises.

"The crowds dispersed; there were no reports of any injuries."

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The protest comes after Ms Waters, the candidate from the controversial minor political party, spoke at a 'Free Tommy Robinson' rally in central London on Saturday where police were injured by protesters.

Local campaigners had called for Ms Waters to lose her platform at the hustings.

Lewisham's Mayor Damien Egan and Lewsiham and Deptford MP Vicky Foxcroft also joined the calls for Ms Waters to lose her platform.

But Ms Waters claimed there was no threat of violence from her supporters.

She said: "There is only a threat to me."

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John Hamilton, from Bring Back democracy, who had orgnised the hustings, said police had asked the group to shut down the hustings - which had an audience of more than 100 people.

He said candidates were given two minutes to address the audience, with a small amount of questions asked before police asked for the hustings to end at 8pm.

Mr Hamilton was pleased the event still went ahead.

"I am glad we were able to present the candidate, some of these people don't get a platform at all," he said.

Bring Back Democracy invited candidates from all political parties to the hustings, but were disappointed Labour candidate Janet Daby would not attend.

Ms Daby had said her diary was full, and that she would not share a platform with far-right groups to avoid giving Ms Waters "the oxygen of publicity."

Conservative candidate Ross Archer said he would not be able to attend due to a prior commitment.

Fourteen candidates are due to stand in the Lewisham East by-election, triggered by the resignation of sitting Labour MP Heidi Alexander.

Voters are due to go to the polls tomorrow (June 14).