'Free speech has been removed!' Farmers hit out at police after they block path to Westminster

The farmers had intended to stage a stunt using a “Death Tax” box in front of Westminster for Rachel Reeves to see, aiming to highlight concerns over last years Budget.

Instead the farmers performed the stunt live on GB News.

Speaking to GB News, Mr Hayward said: "We had a really well planned event. Everything was taken care of, and it was obviously pulled at the last minute.

"And that's led to more disruption for the public today, which is not what we wanted. But we're here to still get our voice out there to make our voices heard."

Fellow farmer, Dan, agreed: "I mean, we're in a terrible situation.

"Not only have we had this from the Budget from 2024 a year later, we haven't gone away. A year later, we're still here.

"Not only that, do we feel like we're having our farms taken away, we feel like our freedom of speech is being removed as well.

"The meat on the ground, the guys have been great, but here we are. We're stuck in this situation."

Demonstrators arrived at Westminster with their tractors on Wednesday morning, openly challenging Metropolitan Police restrictions that had banned such vehicles from the area.

Despite Tuesday evening's prohibition on agricultural machinery, over 12 tractors were positioned outside Parliament as rush-hour commuters faced gridlock and protesters repeatedly blasted their horns whilst officers observed.

The demonstration is on the same day Chancellor's Budget speech, as farmers sought to voice their opposition to proposed inheritance tax changes affecting agricultural businesses valued above £1million.

The Metropolitan Police imposed 11th-hour restrictions on the agricultural demonstration, confining protesters to a narrow section of pavement on Richmond Terrace rather than permitting the broader Westminster gathering organisers had arranged.

Scotland Yard said: “This decision was taken due to the serious disruption they may cause to the local area, including businesses, emergency services and Londoners going about their day."

While stressing that the protest had not been banned, they added: “Any person taking part in the farmers protest must remain in Richmond Terrace, Whitehall.”

In an additional note shared with GB News, the Met said: "We are not stopping any protest in Whitehall tomorrow.

"Farmers are welcome to protest, however, we have to balance the impact any protest will have on the rights of all Londoners.

“Tractors on Whitehall may cause serious disruption to the emergency services, transport infrastructure and local hospitals, as well as to surrounding area as they travel through London to and from the protest, and that is why we have decided to prevent protesters from bringing them."

Announcing the decision, Scotland Yard said: “We have had a number of conversations with the protest organisers to safely manage the event.”

“While people will still be able to demonstrate, conditions have been put in place to prevent protesters from bringing vehicles, including tractors or other agricultural vehicles to the protest."