THE woman questioned by police over her role in organising a protest on Brighton seafront has been fined for breaking lockdown rules.

Sussex Police fined the woman £200 for organising the event in Lower Kings Road, in support of Rise.

As many as 50 people gathered on the seafront to protest against the decision to strip the domestic abuse charity of its contract to provide support in the city.

People held a petition of 25,000 signatures in protest against the controversial decision made by the council last week.

Rise was recently told that it had not won the £5 million seven-year contract starting in April although it has been providing the service for about £1.4 million a year until now.

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It has run refuge and helpline services in Brighton and Hove for the past 26 years.

After being ordered to disperse by officers, a confrontation occurred between the police and the woman - who refused to give her details.

Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle confronted the three uniformed cops and questioned why they needed to obtain the details.

After walking away, Sussex Police told The Argus the "organiser" was identified and later given a fine for breach of Covid rules.

The Argus: Police followed the woman along the seafront Police followed the woman along the seafront

A spokesman said: "While on community safety patrols in response to the Coronavirus pandemic, police came across a group of people holding a protest in Lower Kings Road, Brighton, on Saturday, February 27 at 12 noon.

"The group were spoken to by officers who informed them that they were in breach of the Regulations and needed to disperse, which they did shortly afterwards.

"The organiser was identified and later given a fine for breach of Covid rules"

Current lockdown restrictions mean people must stay at home and only go out if you have "a reasonable excuse".

You are not to meet people socially unless you live together or form a support bubble.

People breaking these rules can face fines, including an £800 penalty for those attending house parties of more than 15 people - and a £10,000 fine for the organisers.