By Natalie Leal

Anti fascist protesters are planning to demonstrate at a UKIP public meeting at Portslade Town Hall on Tuesday, February 18.

Portslade residents have been invited to hear UKIP South East regional MEP candidates Janice Atkinson and Ray Finch speak at 7pm at the venue in Victoria Road.

Brighton and Hove Unite Against Fascists (UAF) will gather outside the town hall from 6pm to protest.

Messages advertising the protest on Twitter and Facebook said: “Let’s ‘talk to UKIP’ and tell them what we think of their bigotry.”

A spokesperson for Brighton and Hove UAF who did not wish to be named said they expect more than 50 protesters on Tuesday night.

The spokesperson said: “We don’t want to disrupt the meeting but would aim for a peaceful protest outside handing out leaflets.

"Some may go inside to ask questions.”

Ray Finch, who will be speaking at the UKIP meeting, said everyone was invited to ask any questions they like.

Mr Finch said: “UKIP are the only party to hold open meetings like this.

"It is the protesters who are behaving like fascists and who don’t believe in free speech.”

Mr Finch said he had no issue with the protest as long as it was peaceful. He added: “They are just generally bored students.

"I’d be amazed if any of them have jobs or families.”