Supporters of the far-right group Britain First are marching through Manchester city centre this afternoon
12:54, 21 Feb 2026Updated 12:55, 21 Feb 2026
A man surrounded by police in Manchester city centre(Image: @TheCanaryUK)
A man was ordered to leave Manchester city centre before the Britain First rally started in Manchester this afternoon.
Supporters of the far-right group gathered near Piccadilly station at noon to take part in a ‘rally for remigration and mass deportations’. The group were set to march through the city centre at 12pm, but were held in position by a large police response for over an hour.
The rally was due to begin after 1pm. Counter demonstrations are also being held in the city centre this afternoon, with supporters from a number of organisations including Stand Up To Racism gathered in Piccadilly Gardens.
Follow our live coverage of the march and counter-protests HERE
A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson has confirmed that a man has been told to leave the area under the dispersal order issued by the force. Video footage of the man being guided into the back of a police van by officers has been shared on social media. The man was not arrested, the GMP spokesperson added.
By 1pm, the force said three arrests have been made so far. The arrests were for: breach of dispersal order, assault on an emergency worker and breach of peace.
A large police presence remains in place across the city centre, with mounted officers pictured lined up at the start of the Britain First rally.
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The 10-hour dispersal order issued by police across the city centre gives officers extra powers to remove people from the area, while the demonstrations take place. GMP said it aims to ‘prevent anti-social behaviour, crime, harassment, alarm, or distress’.
On Thursday, Manchester council leader Bev Craig said Britain First were not welcome in Manchester and urged people to come together to ‘send a clear message that hate has no place in our city’.
