Britain First Leader describes Jayda Fransen arrest over Belfast speech as ridiculous

By Leona O'Neill

Jayda Fransen, the Deputy Leader of far-right group Britain First has been arrested in England and flown to Northern Ireland for questioning over a speech she made outside Belfast city Hall in the summer.

31-year-old, Ms Fransen is currently being quizzed at Musgrave Police Station in the city.

Police say she is being interviewed under article 9 (1) of the Public Order (NI) Order 1987 in relation to speeches made at the Northern Ireland Against Terrorism Rally on August 6th.

Speaking to Q Radio this morning, Britain First leader Paul Golding said the arrest was 'ridiculous' and designed to try and 'stop their work'.

“They arrested her under a simple public order offence,” he said.

“Travelling all the way to London and bringing her all the way back to Belfast is entirely unnecessary. They could have interviewed her in Bromley Police Station and bailed her. I spoke to Jayda this morning and she had just arrived at Musgrave Police Station in Belfast. She had travelled all overnight. The whole saga is entirely unnecessary. They are just trying to be disruptive and try to stress Jayda out, put pressure on her, hoping that sooner or later me and her will break and will walk away from what we are doing, but it’s not going to happen.”

Ms Fransen and Mr Golding both spoke at the Northern Ireland Against Terrorism rally in Belfast on August 6th, which took place on the same day as an Anti-Internment League march.

A PSNI spokesman said: “A 31-year-old woman has been arrested by PSNI criminal investigation branch detectives in London today. The arrest was made in Bromley by PSNI detectives working with officers from the London Metropolitan police service.

“The woman is being brought to Belfast to be interviewed under article 9(1) of the Public Order (NI) Order 1987 in relation to speeches made at the Northern Ireland Against Terrorism Rally on Sunday 6 August this year.”