Nigel Farage criticised for linking Bristol protest with Black Lives Matter

Former Brexit Party leader claims Sunday’s violence an ‘extension’ of BLM movement

Nigel Farage has been criticised for linking protests in Bristol that left 21 officers injured to the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement.

Good Morning Britain host Alex Beresford questioned a tweet by the former Brexit Party leader drawing a line between the two after “Kill the Bill” demonstrations turned violent on Sunday evening.

Protesters were marching against the government's Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which will see the police handed new powers to impose conditions on non-violent protests, including those deemed too noisy or a nuisance.

Mr Farage wrote on Twitter: “The BLM protests were anti-police, it is a key goal of the organisation.

“The worrying events in Bristol tonight are an extension of that.

“We have given into and encouraged the extreme left, and this is the result.”

Read more:

• Tory election candidate tweets ‘just bomb Bristol’ following protests
• Seven arrested after 20 police officers injured in Bristol ‘Kill the Bill’ demo
• Why are protesters opposing the policing bill?
• Opinion: The senseless rioting in Bristol is a gift to Priti Patel
• Opinion: The Bristol ‘Kill the Bill’ protest was shocking – but necessary

Mr Beresford responded: “Sorry what has BLM got to do with the scenes in Bristol today?”

In a subsequent tweet, the TV presenter said: “Let’s not forget why the overwhelming majority of people turned out to the BLM Protests last year - the right to be treated equal, NOT defund the police!

“The majority of people who turned out to the protest yesterday with placards did so for the very same reasons!”

Police said between 2,000 and 3,000 people had gathered at Bristol’s College Green on Sunday afternoon to protest against the government's proposed legislation.

Later there were clashes between protesters and officers, with police vehicles set alight and the police station sprayed with graffiti and smashed.

Eight arrests have been made so far: six for violent disorder and two for possession of an offensive weapon.