Boris Johnson pulls out of Rochester Speech after security officials voiced worries

A source within Kent Police said that they have given no such advice to cancel a planned speech in Rochester in Kent this afternoon. Boris Johnson has cancelled a visit to Rochester at the last minute. A small number of protesters – which The Independent counted at five – also arrived holding signs which read “Tories out”, “Austerity killed over 130,000, the blood is on your hands” and “No to racism, no to Boris Johnson”. A spokesman for Johnson Campaign said “security officials ” had voiced worries about some members of the crowd, and were wary of members of the public being aware of the prime minister’s planned location so far in advance of his arrival. The crowd grew as Mr Johnson’s scheduled arrival neared, and police moved the protesters outside the small pub car park where he had been due to speak. It soon emerged that the PM was delayed, and Tory officials were seen holding close discussions with Mr Johnson’s security team.

More news from Rochester