A WELL-KNOWN member of the British National Party has denied assaulting an anti-fascist demonstrator on St George's Day.

Peter Tierney, 52, is charged with assaulting the protester in St John's Lane, near St George's Hall, on April 23 this year.

He pleaded not guilty to the attack which allegedly left the man with a cut on the back of his head.

The protesters were said to have been handing out leaflets to the public in protest against the BNP earlier that day.

Tierney, wearing a black suit, wore his long brown hair in a ponytail and his six-inch beard in a plait as he stood in the dock at Liverpool magistrates' court yesterday.

He pleaded not guilty to one charge of committing assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Demonstrators protesting against his party gathered outside the court building in Dale Street before the hearing.

Several police officers also stood outside the court.

Tierney, who is also known by his trade name, Peter Quiggins, runs an antique dealership on Aigburth Road.

He previously publicly denied the offence and discussed the incident in an article published on the far right party’s website.

Tierney, of High Street, Hale Village, opted to have the matter dealt with at the Crown Court.

Last August, he was involved in a dispute with the Liverpool Culture Company who threatened legal action over his use of the 08 logo on an advertising hoarding towed behind a vehicle.

Tierney also fought a public battle with the city council and Grosvenor when the developer decided it wanted to use Quiggins, on School Lane, for the Liverpool One development.

Thousands supported Tierney in his battle, but he lost and the Quiggins centre was eventually built on.

Tierney formally entered his not guilty plea yesterday and confirmed his name and address to the court.

The case will come back before magistrates on October 29 when it will be committed to the Crown Court.