FAR-RIGHT thugs launched an unprovoked attack on senior RMT official Steve Hedley at the weekend after he and thousands of other anti-fascists had turned out in central London to oppose a “free Tommy Robinson” march.

The Whitehall march by Mr Robinson’s supporters called for the release from prison of the former English Defence League leader, who has been jailed after being convicted of contempt of court for the second time in a year.

Organised by Stand Up To Racism, two anti-fascist marches several thousand strong joined at Parliament Square and marched together down Whitehall before hearing from trade unionists, political activists and representatives of faith groups about the need to stand up to a resurgent far right with a message of “equality and unity.”