A FAR-RIGHT rally held outside Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral against the church’s wishes was surrounded by hundreds of counter-protesters on Saturday.

Only a few dozen turned up for the “Walk with Jesus Rally,” called by Ukip leader Nick Tenconi, who has advocated extremist plans to deport one in seven people in Britain.

Local religious leaders, including Liverpool’s archbishop, the Most Revd John Sherrington, and interim bishop, Rt Revd Ruth Worsley, issued a joint statement opposing the march, stressing that the event had been “organised independently of the recognised Christian community in Merseyside” and that they “resist any suggestion that it speaks on our behalf.”

Speaking to the Morning Star, Martin Timson, Merseyside chair of Stand Up to Racism, warned that Ukip is “abusing, distorting and weaponising the Christian message to spread division and hatred.”

“In Liverpool, we are a multicultural, diverse city built by people of many faiths and none,” he said.

Counter-protesters held signs such as “Ukip would deport Jesus” and “Jesus was a refugee.” A cross-section of Merseyside attended, including churchgoers, trade unionists and anti-fascists.

Police spared no expense and deployed a helicopter to monitor events. Six arrests were made.

The far right were eventually pushed towards Liverpool Lime Street train station, where police escorted them to the platform gates. Several people inside the station heckled them with boos.

Liverpool City Council leader Liam Robinson condemned the march in a statement prior to the event, but said that neither the local authority nor the police possessed the legal powers to enforce a ban, “no matter how much we might wish otherwise.”