David Icke, who claims ‘Rothschilds planned virus’, addresses anti-lockdown demo

Conspiracy theorist David Icke, who believes the world is run by giant shape-shifting reptiles, has addressed hundreds of anti-lockdown protesters in Trafalgar Square.

The former football commentator, who is banned from Australia for Holocaust denial, recently faced accusations of antisemitism from anti-racism and Jewish groups.

In May the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH)  unveiled a report  alleging Icke is spreading “dangerous misinformation” about Covid-19, including the claim that “Sabbatian Frankists” and the Rothschilds are behind, or helped plan, the outbreak.

He also believes Israel is using the pandemic to “test its technology”.

Also among those present at the “Unite for Freedom” rally on Saturday were the brother of the former Labour Party leader, Piers Corbyn.

Prior to the demonstration, in which protesters displayed anti-mask and anti-vaccination placards, police “strongly advised” people to avoid large gatherings for their own safety. “We are still in the middle of a global pandemic,” it said. “If you attend a gathering of more than 30 people, you may be committing an offence, which is punishable by a fine. We all need to continue to do our part to prevent the spread of the virus.”

Icke’s 1995 book, And the Truth Shall Set You Free, focused on a global conspiracy by “Rothschilds and Rockefellers” and contained a chapter questioning aspects of the Holocaust and criticising society for suppressing “alternative information to the official line of the Second World War.”