ANTI-FASCIST protesters staged a counter-demonstration today outside the Vale of Glamorgan council officers in Barry, south Wales, outnumbering them four to one.

The counter-protest was called after far-right groups decided to hold a demonstration outside the council’s offices in protest at Afghan refugees being housed at a hotel outside Cardiff Airport and near the village of Rhoose.

Local Labour councillor and Rhoose resident Belinda Loveluck-Edwards said: “We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of Rhoose residents who have provided gifts for the Afghani children.

“We are showing them that the rhetoric of the far right is not shared by the local community. In fact, the far right who attended were not from our area.”

Stand Up to Racism organiser Hussain Said led the anti-fascists in football-style chants which infuriated the fascists.

The far right have said they will be protesting on a weekly basis and Mr Said told the Star that anti-fascists in Wales would organise weekly counter-protests, if necessary.

He said: “Four far-right demonstrations have been organised in south Wales in recent times and I cannot remember when they have done this. 

“They are really emboldened by the current political climate.”

Vale council leader Lis Burnett issued a full statement following the hotel demonstrations to clarify the council’s role.

“This location has been selected by the MoD as part of an operation to help a distinct group of people who have fled Afghanistan after working in partnership with UK Forces in that country,” she said.

But the targeting of council staff, many of whom live in the local area, by the far right has worried many that community tensions will be further exploited and enflamed.

Vale council chief executive Rob Thomas told the Star: “The safety of our staff is of paramount importance to us and we have taken several actions to minimise any impact on them.”

Unison Cymru convener Jan Tomlinson said: “Many of those seeking asylum in south Wales have suffered trauma and are often fleeing countries torn apart by conflict.

“They shouldn’t have to face this intimidation and aggression. Nor should council staff doing their jobs to provide services to the whole community.”