Protesters chant "Death to England" outside UK embassy in Iran

12 January 2020, 18:44 | Updated: 12 January 2020, 18:46

Protest in Tehran against the United Kingdom
Protest in Tehran against the United Kingdom. Picture: Getty

Hundreds of hard-line militia members have gathered outside the British Embassy in Iran chanting "Death to England" and demanding the expulsion of the ambassador.

Police in Tehran have been standing guard outside the facility to protect the British ambassador to Iran who was summoned by Iranian authorities following his "illegal and inappropriate presence" at a protest.

Rob Macaire was earlier arrested after he attended a vigil for the victims of the Ukrainian Airlines tragedy, which soon turned into a demonstration.

He was held on suspicion of organising, provoking and directing radical actions before being released.

The diplomat confirmed he was arrested half an hour after leaving, an act he described as "illegal".

However, Iran's foreign minister later suggested the arrest was a mistake and organised his release as soon he found out the man's identity.

UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab called the arrest a "flagrant violation" of international law after Mr Macaire was detained for over an hour.

Barricades and guards were seen outside the embassy
Barricades and guards were seen outside the embassy. Picture: Getty

Chants of "Death to England" could be heard as demonstrators appeared to besiege the embassy in the Iranian capital.

Other chants caught on camera were "British ambassador must be expelled" and "British embassy must be closed."

The protesters were seen holding up pictures of Qassem Soleimani - who was killed in a US airstrike at Baghdad Airport last week - and waving red flags, seen as a symbol of revenge in Iran.

Demonstrations swept across Tehran and the rest of the country
Demonstrations swept across Tehran and the rest of the country. Picture: PA

Alaeddin Boroujerdi, a member of Iran's parliamentary committee on national security and foreign policy, accused the ambassador of organising protests and called for his expulsion.

Iranian authorities were on standby for further demonstrations after the Revolutionary Guard admitted accidentally shooting down the Ukrainian jet, killing all 176 people on board.

Protesters descended on the streets of Tehran last night demanding Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stand down from his role following the tragedy.

US President Donald Trump used Twitter to warn the country's leaders not to kill the protesters.

He wrote: "Thousands have already been killed or imprisoned by you, and the World is watching. More importantly, the USA is watching.

"Turn your internet back on and let reporters roam free! Stop the killing of your great Iranian people!"

Mr Trump had previously posted in the Iranian language Farsi, commending "the brave and suffering Iranian people" whose courage he called "inspiring."

Local media reported that demonstrators ripped up pictures of Major General Qassem Soleimani.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted that the protests were a sign that the Iranian people "are fed up with the regime's lies, corruption, ineptitude and brutality."

Iran had previously denied any involvement with the Ukrainian airliner crash, insisting that it was the result of a technical fault.

However, on Saturday they admitted responsibility, with Boris Johnson calling the move "an important first step" before calling for "a comprehensive, transparent and independent international investigation" into the tragedy.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said of the crisis: "Our focus remains closure, accountability, transparency, and justice for the families and loved ones of the victims.

"This is a national tragedy, and all Canadians are mourning together."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

A man in his 80s has died after his car went into the water in Lancashire 0n the latest Storm Bert fatality.

Man in his 80s dies after car goes into water as Storm Bert flooding sees major incident declared

Exclusive
Shadow Housing Secretary Kevin Hollinrake has called on Labour to stand up to the International Criminal Court after it issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Labour should stand up to the ICC over Netanyahu arrest warrant, top Tory tells LBC's Lewis Goodall

Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor (centre) and partner Dee Devlin leave the High Court in Dublin after the personal injury case against him.

Conor McGregor deletes vile rant about woman he raped after civil jury found him liable for 2018 attack

Lauren Laverne has revealed she is cancer-free

Radio presenter Lauren Laverne reveals she's cancer free in major health update

Wales has been hit with severe flooding

Body found in search for man, 75, who went missing while walking his dog near river during Storm Bert

Storm Bert is battering Britain for a second day

Major incident declared as Storm Bert causes 'devastating' floods with homes and cars left underwater

Westminster Bridge has been closed off following the stabbing

Man left fighting for his life after cardiac arrest on Westminster Bridge after stabbing rumours

Zayn Malik has paid tribute to Liam Payne

'Love you bro': Zayn Malik pays tribute to Liam Payne at first show since former bandmate's death

Diane Abbott speaks to Lewis Goodall

'It's literally a life and death question': Diane Abbott calls for more discussion on assisted dying before vote

Storm Bert i battering Britain for a second day

'Danger to life' warning as Storm Bert batters Britain for second day with more than 200 flood alerts in place

Max Verstappen has won his fourth F1 world title

Max Verstappen wins fourth F1 world title after Las Vegas Grand Prix

Keir Starmer has vowed to crack down on the 'bulging benefits bill'

Keir Starmer vows to crack down on 'bulging benefits bill' as he promises 'sweeping changes' to welfare system

Zvi Kogan

Body found in search for missing rabbi in UAE as Israel says he was killed in 'anti-Semitic terror incident'

Storm Bert has begun to make an impact with snow closing roads

Storm Bert to wreak more havoc as more than 200 flood warnings issued across the UK for Sunday

Island nations which are vulnerable to climate change and some African countries have stormed out of COP29 in a row over funding.

Deal struck for $300bn for developing countries at COP29 after talks had looked set to collapse

A number of unidentified drones have been spotted over three airbases in Britain, the United States Air Force (USAF) has confirmed.

Security alert after unidentified drones spotted above three US-run RAF bases