The camera quickly panned away after the group began shouting and swearing
A Sky News presenter was forced off air after being surrounded by masked protesters and sworn at following reports of a ‘far-right march’ in Birmingham on Monday (August 5).
A large crowd had gathered in the Bordesley Green area of the city following rumours that there could be protest. Images showed hundreds of people – some wearing balaclavas and masks – gathered outside a nearby McDonald’s.
In a clip published on X, journalist Becky Johnson can be seen reporting live in front of a roundabout. A man riding a bike, and wearing a mask, then rides up to the camera and the female reporter before saying: “Free Palestine, f*** EDL,” and making hand gestures.
As other men – some wearing masks and thought to be counter protesters – also approached the camera, the journalist says: “Apologies for the language you are hearing but a sense of the anger you can hear there,” – before the camera quickly pans away.
In the studio, TV presenter Mark Austin then says: “Becky, I think we need to leave you there… We will have security there. I apologise once again for the language there.”
In the wake of the rumoured far-right rally in Bordesley Green in Birmingham, there had been calls for calm from West Midlands Police, MPs and community leaders, with people urged to stay away.
300 or so people mostly Asian and male, many dressed in black and wearing masks or coverings, turned up after the rumour spread rapidly online, BirminghamLive reports. One group of those in the crowd said they were there to ‘protect the area from violence and thugs.’