Threats of violence won't stop pro-cuts march

Pro-cuts supporters planning their own London demonstration today insisted they would not be stopped despite threats of violence against them.

The Rally Against Debt is being organised by activists including the Taxpayers' Alliance, and Annabelle Fuller, a former adviser to UK Independence party leader Nigel Farage.

It has also received support from a number of other politicians, including conservative MEP Daniel Hannan, and free-school founder Toby Young, who has pledged to attend the rally on May 14.

Organisers said they wanted to give a voice to the "quiet majority" in favour of spending cuts, despite the fear the rally could be hijacked by violent opposition protesters.

Matthew Sinclair, director of the Taxpayers' Alliance, said threatening messages circulating social networking sites would not stop the event going ahead. He said: "It has been extremely worrying and concerning. The key is working extremely hard to ensure that our guys do not rise to any bait and stay good-natured and in the right frame of mind."

Ms Fuller said she had personally been threatened by people opposed to the rally.

She said: "I have had threats from people wanting to beat me up, quite openly. There are some really nasty people out there.

"It is really sad. They have had their say, now let us have ours."