Brexit march: '1 million' Put It To The People protesters stage historic rally for a second referendum

See how we covered the day's events live

Femi Oluwole chats to Put it to the People marchers

Some one million people were estimated to have joined the Put It To The People march in central London today, organisers said.

Organised by the People’s Vote, Britain for Europe and Open Britain, protesters demanded the public be given a final say on the Brexit process.

Campaigners seeking a second referendum started in Park Lane at midday before gathering at Parliament Square for a series of speeches, with demonstrators tailing back through the route shown on aerial footage.

On stage Labour’s deputy leader Tom Watson addressed Theresa May's own speech this week when she told voters fed up of Brexit that "I am on your side".

He said: “Have a look out of the window prime minister. Open your curtains. Switch on your TV. Here are the people. Theresa May - you don’t speak for us.”

And Michael Heseltine told marchers that the EU represented "parliamentary democracies working together with power based on a shared sovereignty far in excess of anything any one of us could achieve individually" over decades.

People came from across the country to join the demonstration. Sorcha Kirker, 27, travelled from Orkney and told The Independent: "This is too important to miss because of something like geography. It’s our future."

The march took place as Ms May fought to stay in office, with ministers reportedly plotting to oust her. In a letter to MPs she did not guarantee that she would bring her deal back to the Commons for a third meaningful vote, amid suspicions it would fail to pass again.

See below how we covered the march live:

Key Points

• More than four million people sign petition to revoke Article 50
• Labour's deputy leader backs fresh referendum as 'only way' to solve Brexit crisis
• Theresa May might not go ahead with a third vote on her Brexit deal next week

[23 March 2019 18:43 · Zamira Rahim]

Many celebrities were on the streets or voicing their support for protesters from afar today.

Among them was Fatboy Slim, the English DJ, who played his song 'Praise You' to crowds at the march.

[23 March 2019 18:51 · Zamira Rahim]

Some of the protesters at today's march want to stop Brexit. Millions across the country have also signed a petition urging the government to revoke Article 50.

But our columnist James Moore believes the only way to halt the process is for people to embrace Leave voters who have now changed their minds.

Read his thoughts here:

[23 March 2019 19:00 · Zamira Rahim]

Protesters mocked former Brexit secretary David Davis today, by unfurling a banner emblazoned with a quote from the politician.

“If a democracy cannot change its mind it ceases to be a democracy," the banner read.

The quote is from a speech delivered by Mr Davis in 2012.

He remains opposed to a second referendum.

[23 March 2019 19:11 · Zamira Rahim]

Michael Heseltine has said Theresa May's decision to blame MPs for the current Brexit uncertainty was an "affront to parliamentary democracy".

Watch his speech at the Put it to the People rally below.

[23 March 2019 19:21 · Zamira Rahim]

Rarely has the UK been so divided over politics but some protesters brought a touch of creativity to proceedings today with their costumes.

We spotted Elvis, Wonder Woman and the Devil marching on Whitehall, as well as many, many EU flags.

See the best below: 

[23 March 2019 19:31 · Zamira Rahim]

Roads in central London which were closed earlier in the day for the march have now reopened.

[23 March 2019 19:41 · Zamira Rahim]

Jeremy Corbyn was in Morecambe today, carrying out local election campaigning.

But Tom Watson, his deputy, took to the stage in Parliament Square, to call for a second referendum.

He called on Theresa May to "look out your window" to see "this magnificent crowd today".

"Prime Minister, you've lost control of this process, you're plunging the country into chaos, let the people take control," he said.

[23 March 2019 19:51 · Zamira Rahim]

"They came, young and old, Labour and Tory, by train and by plane, from the four corners of the UK. They came bearing balloons and banners, face paints and flags and, above all, smiles and good humour."

The Independent's deputy political editor, Rob Merrick and political correspondent, Ashley Cowburn, report after a day of marching.

[23 March 2019 20:05 · Zamira Rahim]

“If a democracy cannot change its mind, it ceases to be a democracy," David Davis, former Brexit minister, said in November 2012.

He opposes a second Brexit referendum and campaigners targeted him today by displaying the old quote on a giant banner in Parliament Square.

[23 March 2019 20:15 · Zamira Rahim]

"Theresa May’s time as prime minister is over," The Independent's chief political commentator John Rentoul, says.

He believes that if we do not leave the EU in the next few weeks, we never will.

Read his commentary here: