UKIP’s Gerard Batten savaged online for saying water cannon could be deployed on Brexit protest

UKIP leader Gerard Batten has been mocked online for claiming water cannon could be deployed on a pro-Brexit protest. 

Thousands of demonstrators descended on Whitehall on Friday as MPs rejected Theresa May’s Withdrawal Agreement for a third time. 

A ‘Make Brexit Happen’ rally took place at the protest and featured speeches from Mr Batten as well as a planned speech from English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson. 

Ahead of the protest, Mr Batten said he heard reports the Metropolitan Police were going to use water cannons and “provoke Brexiteers”. 

The Met said his claim was “baseless”. 

On Thursday, Mr Batten said: “There are reports that a water cannon may be deployed tomorrow in London and that some of the police may try to aggregate and provoke Brexiteers. 

“There is always the danger of provocateurs planted to cause trouble. I hope this is not true, but I call on everyone present to be peaceful.” 

Police said: “No water cannons are owned or used by the Met Police.

“Any suggestion that we are intending to use water cannons or seeking to agitate  any protestors is baseless and false. We will continue to work with partners and public to put public safety at the heart of everything we do.”

Mr Batten’s original comments were mocked on social media. 

Richard Johnson said: “How does one aggregate a Brexiteer”, while the account for author behind the Secret Barrister book wrote: “I’m prosecuting a aggregated burglary next week”. 

Richard Holmes wrote: “You know the UK doesn’t actually have water cannon, yes?”

Mr Batten later retracted his original comment, adding he was “pleased” the Met did not use water cannons on members of the public. 

He wrote: “I am pleased to say the Met have said there will no water cannon today. My reports were from a reliable source & they did say they were coming from elsewhere. 

“The Met have always been helpful at previous events, for which I am grateful. I repeat my call for a peaceful day alround.”

Scotland Yard said earlier it was prepared for the protests, as hundreds of people began to gather in Parliament Square from midday.