Two Brits detained in France over far-right protest

Marianne BaisneeParis
News imageAFP via Getty Images The front of a French police vehicle with "Police Nationale" on the front bonnetAFP via Getty Images

Two British nationals have been detained in northern France on suspicion of planning to join a banned far-right protest, prosecutors have said.

The two men, aged 35 and 50, were arrested near Calais on Sunday after "broadcasting live videos", prosecutor Cécile Gressier told the BBC.

She added that they were detained over "incitement to hatred" and "participation in a group with the intent to prepare acts of violence".

It comes after French authorities last week said they would immediately deport anyone arriving from the UK to take part in planned anti-migrant demonstrations over the weekend.

There had been calls on UK social media for anti-migration activists to take part in a protest in the area of northern France where small boats are launched to carry asylum seekers across the Channel.

The so-called "Operation Overlord" demonstration was banned by French authorities.

"These individuals were arrested during an identity check while they were posting a video on social media that allegedly contained discriminatory comments and attested to their potential participation in this organisation," the Pas-de-Calais prefecture said in a statement.