SDL warn of further anti-refugee demos after being "banned" from Monkton in South Ayrshire

The Scottish Defence League described the action by police as "disgusting behaviour" and "abuse of powers" after it emerged their 80 demonstrators were issued with an order under section 14 of the Public Order Act prohibiting them from entering the village of Monkton to protest.

Pro-refugee protesters aimed to disrupt the SDL demonstration by holding a counter-demonstration in Monkton.

The SDL ended up taking their protest over a mile away, to Adamton Country House Hotel which has opened its doors to the refugees.

The rural hotel situated in 19.5 acres of private land, belongs to the Britannia Hotel group which has previously housed refugees at some of its hotels in England, paid for by the Home Office.

However some SDL protesters had managed to get into Monkton and were escorted way by police while chased by  counter-demonstrators chanting: "Say it loud, say it clear refugees are welcome here".

Two arrests were made during a bad-tempered protest and counter-protest.

Chief Supt Bates, the the Event Commander, said: "I believed that the proposed public assembly by the SDL in Monkton on Sunday may have resulted in serious public disorder or serious disruption to the life of the local community and as such, a Section 14 notice was given to the SDL imposing certain conditions on their assembly on that day.

"This was a proportionate response to facilitate the peaceful exercise of their freedom of speech and assembly whilst balancing these with the rights of the local community."

Pro-refugee protesters

The SDL said: "Disgusting behaviour and abuse of powers from the police who imposed a section 14 on us which prevented us from entering the village of Monkton to protest alongside the locals (who asked for our help) at our original demo point and time, so we went directly to the hotel instead.

"The police said that the threat of disorder from the far left pro refugee counter demo would result in disorder and disruption to the life of the community, so rather than do their job and deal with any trouble from the left wing traitors they banned us from the village.

"If these asylum seekers and fake refugee... don't get moved out the hotel soon we will be back for follow-up demos. Next time we may even book rooms and have our demo inside the hotel."

Police escorted some out of Monkton

The campaign group Scotland Welcomes Refugees said hundreds of people had pledged to oppose the SDL demonstration and predictedthat they would outnumber the far-right group's supporters.

The pro-refugee protesters were to gather at Monkton crossroads at 1pm, an hour before the SDL demo. The SDL expected a turnout of at least 100 protesters, including up to 70 local residents.