Clashes have kicked-off between protestors and supporters of Donald Trump, less than two miles from the UK’s National D-Day commemorations.
Chants of “Nazi scum, off our streets” were heard in Portsmouth, as activists gathered to protest against the US president’s arrival in southern coastal city.
Mr Trump joined the Queen and world leaders in the naval base to pay tribute to the 160,000 Allied troops who fought on the beaches of Normandy 75 years ago.
“Peaceful protests” against the American leader began on Wednesday morning in the central Guildhall Square, away from the main memorial event at nearby Southsea Common.
However, the atmosphere swiftly shifted when a group of men stormed the central gathering, the BBC has reported.
Footage emerged showing a group of men, some sporting American flags, shouting “shame on you” and “scum”.
Anti-Trump protesters responded by chanting “Nazi scum, off our streets” – the same chant that rang out in central London on Tuesday.
The BBC said it was not clear whether the group of gatecrashers were Trump supporters or simply angry that the protests were being held during the D-Day commemorations.
“Some men looked ready to start a confrontation but police were quick to intervene,” wrote BBC South reporter Emily Ford, who witnessed the skirmish.
It comes after military veterans and politicians called for the focus of the anniversary events to be on those who fought, rather than on the controversial presence of Donald Trump.
Gerald Vernon-Jackson, a Liberal Democrat leader of Portsmouth City Council, feared Mr Trump’s visit would obscure the focus of the ceremony.
He said: “I am disappointed because it will change the nature of the event a great deal.
“For us, the centre of the events was meant to be the veterans.
“With Donald Trump coming, I think the chances are that it will move from being around commemoration and instead it will be a day of controversy.
“There will be protests and that is not what we want.”
Earlier on Wednesday, the US president dismissed protests against his visit to the UK as "organised flops".
In an early morning tweet on the third day of his visit, the US president said: "I kept hearing that there would be 'massive' rallies against me in the UK, but it was quite the opposite.
"The big crowds, which the Corrupt Media hates to show, were those that gathered in support of the USA and me.
"They were big & enthusiastic as opposed to the organized flops!"
