Police and demonstrators clash at ‘Kill the Bill’ protest in central London

At least one officer has been injured after clashes between police and demonstrators at a “Kill the Bill” protest in central London.

Projectiles were thrown as police pushed protesters away and at least one officer was injured in the scuffle.

Dozens of extra officers were brought in to help unblock the road for a McDonald’s lorry held up outside parliament.

The heated scenes in Parliament Square came amid otherwise peaceful demonstrations across the country over the proposed crime legislation, which opponents fear will limit their right to protest.

Saturday has seen protests not just in the capital, but also in Newcastle, Birmingham, Liverpool, Bristol and Brighton, despite ongoing lockdown restrictions.

The protestors are demonstrating against prosed changes to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.

The changes would give police in England and Wales more power to impose conditions on non-violent protests, including for being too noisy or a nuisance, with fines or jail terms for those convicted.

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn spoke at the gathering in central London today.

He described the bill as a “very dangerous, slippery slope,” and defended the right to protest.

“If we don’t protest, things don’t change,” he said, which drew cheers and applause from the crowd.

A statement from the Metropolitan Police said: “The majority of people at today’s events in central London have tried to adhere to social distancing and COVID legislation.

“A small minority are blocking the road at Parliament Square. Officers are on scene engaging and encouraging them to move so we can reopen the roads.”

© Sky News 2021