Thousands of anti-lockdown activists march through central London

Thousands of anti-lockdown activists are marching through central London in a ‘Unite for Freedom’ protest to demand a ban on vaccine passports.

Demonstrators made their way through the capital earlier today as they waved banners and placards daubed with a range of slogans including ‘no new normal’ and ‘no health passport’.

The protestors did not appear to be adhering to social distancing guidelines are were not wearing face masks.  

It comes after Britain’s equalities watchdog warned the Government that vaccine passports could be unlawful, create a ‘two-tier society’ and discriminate against migrants, ethnic minorities and the poor.

Thousands of anti-lockdown activists are marching through central London in a ‘Unite for Freedom’ protest to demand a ban on vaccine passports

Demonstrators made their way through the capital earlier today as they waved banners and placards daubed with a range of slogans including ‘no new normal’ and ‘no health passport’

The protestors did not appear to be adhering to social distancing guidelines are were not wearing face masks

The supporters of the movement protest against new COVID-19 measures including what they call ‘coerced vaccinations’.

‘Covid-status certificates’ being considered by ministers to help open up society, get people back into work or away on holiday despite concerns from Boris Johnson’s own MPs that they will be ‘intrusive, costly and unnecessary’.

Recent polling has found the majority of Britons back their use – especially for foreign holidays – but there are wider concerns that they could be used in every facet of life including to get on public transport, into shops, pubs and restaurants.

The supporters of the movement protest against new COVID-19 measures including what they call ‘coerced vaccinations’

Earlier this month, the Equality and Human Rights Commission piled pressure on the PM and told the Cabinet Office that while they are a ‘proportionate’ way of easing restrictions, they could also exclude people from everyday life.

And they warned that a ‘no jab, no job’ policy could be illegal before the entire population is offered a jab, while plans to force all care workers to be vaccinated could also be subject to a legal challenge.

The EHRC’s submission, seen by the Guardian, says they could cause ‘indirect discrimination’, citing recent migrants to the UK, people from black and minority ethnic groups or those from poorer backgrounds.

‘There is a risk of unlawful discrimination if decisions taken in this process disadvantage people with protected characteristics who have not received, or are not able to receive, the vaccine, unless they can be shown to be justified,’ it said.