A ranting man told a protester "You look like a terrorist" during a peaceful demonstration in south London.
Footage has emerged of the dramatic confrontation in Sidcup, south London, as tempers flared when two opposing protests clashed.
Crowds gathered on Penhill Road at noon on Sunday. Pro-refugee demonstrator David Lovelace used his mobile phone to video the row while live-streaming it on social media.
The footage captured the outburst of a man, who Mr Lovelace said was with the other protest, as he was challenged about his reasons for being there.
Speaking openly on camera, the man asks: “So you’re happy with rapists turning up are you?”
He then adds "Could they be a terrorist? Could they be?”, prompting Mr Lovelace to ask what a terrorist looks like.
Moments later a third man out of shot chimes in with the question: “Do I look like a terrorist?” sparking the response from the ranting protester: “Yeah, you do actually.”
Of the encounter, Mr Lovelace said: “I was already recording when he came over to give us his bigoted view.
“I was half expecting it, but it shocked us that somebody would say something so nasty about someone they didn’t know.”
Mr Lovelace added he and friends organised the counter-protest after finding out about the rally on social media.
He claimed some opposing demonstrators were holding placards reading "Save our streets" - even though the demo was purportedly over Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) licences.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “On Sunday, July 10, police in Bexley Borough were made aware of a planned protest at Penhill Road, Sidcup.
“Officers attended in order to facilitate what was a peaceful protest and also a peaceful counter protest.
“The protesters and counter protesters left the location at about 1pm.
“Also on Sunday, July 10, police received an allegation concerning comments on a social media site.
“We are reviewing the comments made on social media and will take appropriate action(s) as necessary.”
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