Lord John Mann has written to Home Secretary Priti Patel urging her to ''intervene and ban'' a series of illegal protests against the coronavirus lockdown after warning they are organised by ''right wing extremists'' .
The Government's Independent Advisor On Antisemitism has warned that the protests and mass gatherings are organised by The UK Freedom Movement - which he says are ''a political organisation'' led by Jayda Fransen, who was up until recently a leading figure in the far-right Britain First party.
In posters being distributed on social media, people are encouraged to attend the 60 demos planned to go ahead on Saturday and "bring a picnic" as they "have some fun and say yes to life".
The leaflets add: "We say no to the coronavirus bill. No to mandatory vaccines. No to the new normal and no to the unlawful lockdown.''
The 'UK Freedom Movement' is touted as an anti-conspiracy group aimed at "exposing the truth regarding global affairs", according to its Facebook page.
The former Labour MP for Bassetlaw tweeted on Thursday:''The UK Freedom Movement with its so called protests is a political organisation of right wing extremists led by Jayda Fransen of Britain First.
''I have requested police and Home Secretary action to prohibit an illegal set of political rallies.''
It is understood that Lord Mann - who has also written to Cressida Dick, the Metropolitan Police commissioner - is concerned that the protests could lead to the rise of antisemitic and neo-Nazi sentiment in the same way similar anti-lockdown protests have been exploited by the far-right in America and in Germany and Spain.
The protests are planned across London, Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester, and in Scotland and Wales in defiance of new lockdown rules, which have come into force today, allow people to visit only one individual from outside their household - provided that it is outdoors.
Two years ago the Community Security Trust warned that Ms Fransen, alongside Britain First Paul Golding had openly courted antisemites in the past.
CST added that the group had attempted to offer “solidarity patrols” to areas with high Jewish populations in London which "was not a sincere support for Jews; Britain First cared more about winding up the Muslims”.
Antisemitism was also frequently seen on the Britain First Facebook page - which posts regularly accusing Jews of controlling the world or of being ''just the same as Muslims.''
Police are permitted to give an on-the-spot fine of £100 for anyone caught breaching coronavirus lockdown rules and have the powers to disperse gatherings, and arrest those not complying.
