Journalist Owen Jones has announced he will not attend Saturday’s anti-Donald Trump demonstration after he blasted one of its organisers as a “cult which covered up rape”.
Mr Jones, who organised a separate rally against Mr Trump last week, said he did not support Saturday’s protest because of the lead role of the Socialist Workers Party (SWP).
Saturday’s demonstration is being held against Mr Trump's divisive travel ban which shut down the US refugee programme for 120 days and halted all immigration from seven predominately Muslim countries for 90 days.
Protestors were due to assemble outside the US Embassy in London on Saturday morning before marching on Downing Street in a demo organised by Stop the War Coalition, Stand Up to Racism, Muslim Association of Britain and Muslim Engagement and Development.
But Mr Jones took to social media on Friday to announce that he was not taking part “because of the leading role of the SWP” which he described as “cult which covered rape.”
The SWP, a far-left organisation, has previously been accused of setting up “kangaroo courts” to hear allegations of rape and sexual misconduct against a senior member of the party.
The senior party member denied the allegations and the party refuted reports of a cover-up.
Mr Jones claims that Stand Up to Racism “is a front for SWP”.
The journalist organised last week’s rally against Mr Turmp which saw thousands of Londoners descend on Downing Street in protest against the president’s controversial ban.
Mr Jones has also called for another anti-Trump demo to be held in London on the day MPs are due to debate the US President’s planned state visit.
The 'Stop Trump' protest is set to take place in Parliament Square on February 20. Some 16,000 people have already registered their interest in attending.
