A NEW far-right group trying to establish itself in Belfast has hit out at allegations it has links to neo-Nazis.
Generation Identity (GI) was responding to articles revealing its move to Northern Ireland and presence at a 'Free Tommy Robinson' rally at City Hall last week.
The protest is the latest in what appears to be a bid to secure the former English Defence League leader's release from jail.
Active in 13 countries across Europe and North America the group has already staged half a dozen public actions in Belfast since August last year.
Last week several far-right demonstrators were pictured at the rally in front of city hall giving Nazi salutes - and in the crowd next to them flew the distinctive flag of Generation Identity.
The group has since said the man giving the salute was not a GI member and was doing so in response to being called a Nazi.
“This is typical for the media to use dirty tactics and deceit to paint all patriotic attendees with the same brush,” the group wrote on its website.
“[Neo-Nazi] is a term Generation Identity vehemently rejects. We have on numerous occasions outlined how our group does not provide a platform for Nazi or fascist views.”
In January, the group held its first 'new activists' meeting in Belfast, followed by a full conference in March and further meetings.
