A Birmingham pub worker has recounted a "really scary" story, as she revealed how rioters tried to "boot in" the door of the boozer yesterday.
Last night hundreds of people gathered in part of Birmingham, following false reports that far-right protesters planned to march.
Chaos ensued as they marched through the streets and they also interrupted a live Sky News broadcast with the message “Free Palestine and F*** the media.”
Speaking to GB News, Assistant Manager of the Clumsy Swan pub in Yardley, Linda said: "We knew the march was coming down Stoney Lane.
Assistant Manager of the Clumsy Swan pub in Yardley, Linda, spoke to GB News
GB News
"So I just got all the customers in, got the stores in, and everything and locked up the pub. Unfortunately, one of our customers did get out.
"He got hit a couple of times and it just escalated from there. So they tried to boot the door in, broke the glass, broke the handle off and just tried to intimidate everybody."
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She added: "It was scary, I've got kids in there. It was karaoke. There was children in there, stuff in there, everything. It was really scary."
She explained that she barricaded the doors with "tables and chairs" from the pub as she tried to protect those inside.
Linda also added that the police have "not yet" been in touch with her after the incident occurred.
Chief Superintendent Richard North, commander at Birmingham LPA told BirminghamLive: “Fortunately rumours of the significant protest activity in the city didn’t materialise.
Rioters surrounded The Clumsy Swan pub and tried to "boot the doors down"
GB News
"There were several sporadic incidents of criminality during the evening and we will work hard to arrest those responsible.
"We want to reassure you that anyone participating in any criminality on our streets will be dealt with robustly.
"You will continue to see an increased police presence on our streets over the coming days to offer reassurance to our communities.”
Linda told Charlie Peters that the police have "not yet" been in touch
GB News
After news broke about the Birmingham protests, Reform's Richard Tice posted on social media: “Starmer & Labour no doubt think these pro Gaza masked folk are far right too? ….All violence, rioting and assault is totally unacceptable. Two-tier policing must stop."
Labour's Jess Phillips, who is the MP for the area, hit back: "These people came to this location because it has been spread that racists were coming to attack them. This misinformation was spread entirely to create this content. Don't spread it MR Tice!”
The MP has received a slew of criticism for her comment and Prime Minister Liz Truss responded: “Astonishing a Home Office Minister is excusing masked thugs.
"She must retract this statement and the Prime Minister must urgently commit to protect the safety and freedom of everyone in our country.”
