Police braced for numerous pro-Brexit protests in London including Ukip and Tommy Robinson protest in Whitehall

The Met was preparing for a number of pro-Brexit protests in London on Friday, the UK’s original scheduled departure date from the EU.

Among the planned demonstrations is Ukip’s “make Brexit happen” rally. This has been “sponsored” by English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson.

Ukip, under Gerard Batten’s leadership, will be leading the protest in Whitehall at 4.30pm.

Mr Batten and Mr Robinson – real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – will be giving speeches from a stage with a “sound system loud enough that Theresa May will be able to hear every single word in 10 Downing Street”.

Mr Robinson and Mr Batten will be leading the Ukip rally in Whitehall on Friday (Gareth Fuller/PA)

The far-right Democratic Football Lads Alliance will also be holding a demo in Parliament Square from 4pm.

The “yellow vests” are also reported to be holding a rally in the capital.

These demonstrations will be met with counter-protesters.

The Met rejected a claim by Mr Batten that a water cannon will be deployed at all the pro-Brexit protests.

It said on Friday: “Those reports are indisputably false.”

A Leave Means Leave placard outside Parliament on Friday (Victoria Jones/PA)

Separate pro-Brexit protests will also be held by the Leave Means Leave campaign, while former Ukip leader Nigel Farage – who resigned from the party over its appointment of Mr Robinson – is set to greet the “March to Leave” as it arrives in Parliament Square at 4pm.