TOMMY Robinson supporters have gathered outside the BBC as they protest against a Panorama probe into him.
Fans of right-wing troublemaker Robinson waved Union Flags as they waited for a demonstration to kick off outside the Beeb’s HQ in Media City, Salford.
A big screen has been erected on a car park in Media City where right-wing activist Robinson's film Panodrama is expected to be shown.
The ex- English Defence League leader, real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is holding the protest in response to BBC programme Panorama's investigations into him.
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Robinson was joined onstage by UKIP leader Gerard Batten MEP who later tweeted a photo of the pair together and made allegations the BBC "set up" Robinson on Panorama.
He wrote: "In Manchester for Tommy Robinson’s film ‘Panodrama’. Undercover footage shows how the BBC tried to set him up for their ‘Tommy Takedown’ programme.
"Instead they walked into a trap of their own making. Biased Broadcasting Corp shown up for what it now is. Scrap the license fee!"
Among the lies here is that Tommy incites violence. Its the thugs of the left who promote intimidation and violence they are the real fascists
He later added: "Among the lies here is that Tommy incites violence. Its the thugs of the left who promote intimidation and violence they are the real fascists."
About 300m away, anti-fascist demonstrators are holding a counter-protest with members of the crowds shouting “racist scum”.
Others were spotted holding placards with slogans including "Stand up to racism" and "Stop the fascist Tommy Robinson".
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A number of police officers and vehicles were in the area and temporary metal barriers had been placed around all of the BBC buildings.
Several restaurants were closed.
The Media City branch of Prezzo had a sign on the door which said: "This restaurant is closed for the safety of our customers and staff due to high numbers being expected to the area."
Weyman Bennett, joint national secretary of Unite Against Fascism, said: "Robinson regularly consorts with far-right individuals like Steve Bannon who seek to divide Muslims and Jews, black and white, and often support violence to further their aims.
"Journalism that lifts the lid on Robinson, his funding and his violent racism is welcome. We should not allow the fascist Tommy Robinson to be normalised. He's not a journalist or an activist.
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Robinson's protest was also condemned by the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) and BECTU, unions which represent BBC staff.
In a joint statement, the unions said: " Intimidation, threats and violence carried out by far-right protesters systematically targeting the media, especially photojournalists, are becoming more frequent and we will always call out this behaviour and report criminal activity to the police."
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