THE Deputy Lord Mayor of Oxford has criticised anti-fascist campaigners for an “unruly” protest against a far right group at the city’s war memorial.

Liberal Democrat Tony Brett said the Unite Against Fascism demo in St Giles showed “hate” to a planned event by the English Defence League (EDL).

The EDL planned a wreath laying at 1pm on Saturday for “fallen hero” Drummer Lee Rigby, killed in a terror attack in Woolwich on May 22.

The Oxford Mail attended the memorial from 12.45pm to 1.15pm and no wreaths were laid. There was no apparent EDL presence except for about 30 protesters.

Oxford City Council member Mr Brett said the protesters “jeered” at people. He said: “The floral tributes were squashed and badly damaged and indeed one young woman tried to walk away with half of the flowers.”

There was “no sign” of EDL banners, clothing or “behaviour” he said, adding: “What I saw was a loud and unruly bunch who were showing hate towards what seemed to me to be a peaceful and lawful act of remembrance.”

Unite Against Fascism branch treasurer Tracy Walsh said it feared the EDL would use the event as a “smokescreen for their anti-Islamic views”.

She said she did not see anyone damage the flowers and protesters “were mindful of the fact that it was a war memorial”.

The EDL had organised similar events around the UK. It was not available for comment. A small number of police attended the protest but did not intervene.