Hundreds march in protest at 'anti-immigration' tone of Brexit campaign

. Credit: .

Hundreds of people hit the streets of some of England and Scotland's biggest cities in protest over the "anti-immigration" tone of the pro-Brexit campaign.

Crowds gathered in Edinburgh and Glasgow in support of migrants, protesting what they said had been a "torrent of racism" during the referendum campaign.

Meanwhile, in London, around 400 demonstrators marched to the headquarters of News UK, which publishes national newspapers The Sun and The Times, as part of a rally against "anti-immigration politics".

Others gathered at the gates of Downing Street.

It comes after the country voted in favour of leaving the European Union in Thursday's referendum - though Scotland as a nation voted to remain by 62 per cent to 38 per cent, a result which may open the door to a second referendum on Scottish independence.

People protested what they said was 'anti-immigration politics' of the pro-Brexit campaign Credit: PA

The Sun supported the 'leave' campaign - and while The Times backed 'remain', its weekend title The Sunday Times also backed Brexit.

Waving banners, the protesters marched from a park in Whitechapel, east London, to the concourse between the Shard and the News Building late on Friday evening.

Using a set of speakers, they shouted: "The enemy is profit".

Among the crowd was retired university lecturer Richard Kirkwood, aged 73.

"It's absolutely central to oppose xenophobia and racism that's been raised by both sides in the referendum campaign and which is pulling out hidden hatreds all over the country," he said.

In Edinburgh, demonstrators gathered near the Scottish Parliament Credit: PA

Student Polly Butler, 22, added: "People should not buy into all the lies of either party and should have made an informed decision for themselves.

"Had they done so they would think about all the people, the beautiful people who live here and are very frightened about what we did today."

Police were dispatched to monitor the demonstration but said no arrests were made.

In Edinburgh, protesters gathered outside the Scottish Parliament where speakers addressed the crowd, while a similar event took place in Glasgow's George Square.

The result of the referendum may have opened the door to a second Scottish independence referendum Credit: PA

The Edinburgh rally was advertised online under the title: "After the Referendum, Defend all Migrants."

It stated: "The EU referendum has unleashed a torrent of racism.

"Unabashed, unchecked racist and xenophobic hyperbole has dominated the entire campaign, with migration being defined as a 'problem', or 'crisis', with bigotry being stoked up against migrants, and with EU citizens living here being systematically denied a voice."