ANTI-FASCIST groups joined forces last night to counter-protest against a British National Party demonstration outside the filming of the BBC’s Question Time in Liverpool.

About 60 protesters from the Liverpool Anti-Fascists and Merseyside Unite Against Fascism groups held posters, sang and chanted outside the Contemporary Urban Centre (CUC), in Greenland Street.

Around 20 members of the BNP stood outside the entrance to the CUC 100m away, waving Union flags and shouting abuse.

Police kept the two groups apart with lines of officers, and prevented any clashes between the two sides.

Chants changed from political subjects to personal attacks as people on different sides of the police line recognised people.

Michelle Smith, of Merseyside Unite Against Fascism, said: “We are here with a very clear message – Nazis and fascists such as the BNP are not welcome in Liverpool at any point, especially in a multi-cultural area like this.

“It is sickening really that there are kids playing on a skate park behind us and they have to listen to their racist bile.”

The BNP were protesting against Question Time being filmed in Liverpool.

They claimed they were not being given a platform to voice their views, after leader Nick Griffin was barred from appearing on the TV show.

One member of the anti-fascist camp, who asked not to be named, tried to cross the police line to reach the BNP but was pulled back by officers.

He said: “It is not fair really. I am just trying to do a peaceful protest.

“But if someone is aggressive to me then I will be aggressive back to them.

“Someone from the BNP snatched my poster out my hand but the police have not gone over to him – it is me being moved away.”