Whitehall protest: Hundreds march on Downing Street against Theresa May's 'hateful' DUP alliance

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Jonathan Mitchell10 June 2017
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Hundreds of people marched towards Downing Street in protest of Theresa May’s “hateful” alliance with the socially hardline Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).

Protesters chanted outside Downing Street, blasting the Conservative Party for uniting with the DUP, which has drawn criticism for its right-wing stance on issues such gay rights and abortion.

People carried placards reading anti-DUP and pro-Jeremy Corbyn messages, while chants of “Tories out, refugees in” echoed across Parliament Square.

The protest comes the day after Mrs May formed a minority government propped up by the DUP, having failed to win a majority in Thursday’s General Election.

Hundreds gathered in Parliament Square before marching towards Downing Street
EPA

Organisers from Stand Up To Racism and the Stop The War Coalition spoke to the crowd, who cheered at the mention of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s name.

Musicians performed to the protesters, who seemed in good spirits. One organiser led chants of "racist, sexist, anti-gay, the DUP has got to go".

The protest then moved to outside the gates of Downing Street, where they were met by a wall of uniformed police officers.

Luke O'Neill, who voted for Labour in Kensington, said he felt Mr Corbyn had motivated young people.

The 27-year-old said: "May's mandate has gone, that's probably the best news and Labour is gaining - that is the best news as well.

"Jeremy Corbyn gave us power, that's what he's all about."

Police stand guard as protesters hold placards outside Downing Street
Getty Images

The nursery worker said he was "angry" that Mrs May had done a deal with the DUP, although he admitted he did not initially know who they were.

"I've never seen people more hateful in my life," he said.

"I didn't know who the DUP were, I had to Google them, as many people no doubt in this country would have had to Google them."

The DUP opposes gay marriage and Northern Ireland remains the only part of the UK where women cannot access abortion unless their life is endangered by the pregnancy.

The Prime Minister has been forced to seek a “confidence and supply” deal with the DUP after losing her majority in a snap election that spectacularly backfired.

An online petition has also gathered almost 500,000 signatures, with the political party branded “dangerous” on the page.

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