An MEP has called on people to oppose government plans to scrap human rights legislation whilst organised Islamaphobia is on the rise.

Jean Lambert, Green Party MEP for London made the speech during the English Defence League’s (EDL) Walthamstow march on Saturday (May 9), which saw 14 people arrested as members of opposing factions clashed with police.

Ms Lambert, who has lived and worked as a teacher in Walthamstow for many years, said was very worried as the Conservatives, who now have a majority after the General Election, threaten to replace the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) 

During the march EDL supporters, protected by the police, were seen flashing Nazi salutes at opposition protesters.

In a speech at the United Against Fascism event Ms Lambert said: “I am very proud to be here, standing up against the EDL and all those who seek to divide our community and society.

“We want people to be free to be who they are regardless of their faith or none, their descent, gender, sexual identity, age, disability or wherever they are from in this world.

“That freedom is protected under a framework of human rights that apply to each and every one of us.

She called for opposition to the Conservative threat to leave the ECHR and have a British Bill of Rights instead, in their manifesto.

“This is a very worrying signal that we are leaving the universal standards that apply to all of us and that the British are somehow different. This move would make our rights subject to the opinion of changing governments.

“We, who believe in that wider framework of human rights, that protects us all on an equal basis, should oppose any move to reject the ECHR.”

“We need that common framework that works across borders, not least as we see the rise of organised Islamaphobia and other forms of hate-politics across Europe.

“We need to oppose those who would spread hatred and division – who are not interested in universal rights but their own supremacy. We need to stand together for our common future.”