A billed march in Portswood involving UKIP leader Nick Tenconi is to be met by a counter protest “defending refugees” on Sunday (Aug 17) .

Social media posts, including on a “Southampton patriots” account, refers to the march “through Portswood” with Tenconi, while groups including Southampton Action, Southampton Stand Up to Racism and Hampshire Antifacists have shared information about the counter demonstration.

Protests have recently been centred around the Highfield House Hotel, said to house some asylum seekers.

Counter protesters are due to meet at Highfield Church from 4pm, according to Southampton Action’s social account – an organisation that says it supports refugees, asylum seekers and other vulnerable groups in the city, for example through donating clothing and personal items including mobile phones.

 Counter protesters attend a UKIP demonstration featuring Nick Tenconi near the Bargate in January

As reported, Portswood ward councillors have recently condemned the Highfield House Hotel protests against asylum seekers, saying: “This does not represent the values of our residents and we will work tirelessly to build trust and cohesion in our city.”

Test MP Satvir Kaur also recently commented that everyone has the right to protest peacefully, but hate is not welcome in the city.

It comes as UK party leaders have reportedly been urged to dial down inflammatory language and “end ‘pernicious currents’ of hatred fuelling anti-migrant protests”, with more than 200 refugee groups, charities and unions signing a letter calling for action after weeks of protests outside asylum hotels – according to The Guardian on Monday (Aug 11).