The angry shouts of the groups outside the Cresta Court Hotel in Altrincham could be heard as Mr Le Pen and BNP leader Nick Griffin held a news conference inside.
When Mr Le Pen attempted to leave the hotel, his car was surrounded by angry protestors and pelted with eggs. Police formed a barricade around the vehicle until it was able to drive away.
When Mr Le Pen attempted to leave the hotel, his car was surrounded by angry protestors and pelted with eggs. Police formed a barricade around the vehicle until it was able to drive away.
Protesters have gathered in Manchester and Birmingham to denounce the visit of Jean-Marie Le Pen.
Waving signs that said "refugees are welcome here," hundreds voiced their displeasure with the French far-right leader's visit.
Anti-racist and anti-fascist groups had questioned the decision to allow Mr Le Pen in the country.
But home secretary David Blunkett said Mr Le Pen was an EU citizen and had the right to travel.
But on Sunday Mr Blunkett told the BBC: "I'd rather Mr Le Pen wasn't here. I'd rather the British National Party didn't exist in our country."
'Not welcome'
The angry shouts of the groups outside the Cresta Court Hotel in Altrincham could be heard as Mr Le Pen and BNP leader Nick Griffin held a news conference inside.
Asked what he would say to those angry over his presence in the UK, Mr Le Pen said through a translator: "The message is quite simple. We should tell them to cool down. The purpose of the visit is not to incite trouble."
Mr Blunkett said Mr Le Pen was free to come and go as long as he "behaves himself."
"If he incites or causes public disorder the police will act immediately and I will give them any support they need."
When Mr Le Pen attempted to leave the hotel, his car was surrounded by angry protestors and pelted with eggs. Police formed a barricade around the vehicle until it was able to drive away.
On Sunday evening, Mr Le Pen is to address a black-tie dinner in Shropshire. The location of the event - billed as the "the patriotic dinner of the year" by the BNP - is being kept secret.
More on the BBC website.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3654941.stm
Waving signs that said "refugees are welcome here," hundreds voiced their displeasure with the French far-right leader's visit.
Anti-racist and anti-fascist groups had questioned the decision to allow Mr Le Pen in the country.
But home secretary David Blunkett said Mr Le Pen was an EU citizen and had the right to travel.
But on Sunday Mr Blunkett told the BBC: "I'd rather Mr Le Pen wasn't here. I'd rather the British National Party didn't exist in our country."
'Not welcome'
The angry shouts of the groups outside the Cresta Court Hotel in Altrincham could be heard as Mr Le Pen and BNP leader Nick Griffin held a news conference inside.
Asked what he would say to those angry over his presence in the UK, Mr Le Pen said through a translator: "The message is quite simple. We should tell them to cool down. The purpose of the visit is not to incite trouble."
Mr Blunkett said Mr Le Pen was free to come and go as long as he "behaves himself."
"If he incites or causes public disorder the police will act immediately and I will give them any support they need."
When Mr Le Pen attempted to leave the hotel, his car was surrounded by angry protestors and pelted with eggs. Police formed a barricade around the vehicle until it was able to drive away.
On Sunday evening, Mr Le Pen is to address a black-tie dinner in Shropshire. The location of the event - billed as the "the patriotic dinner of the year" by the BNP - is being kept secret.
More on the BBC website.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3654941.stm
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