Knowsley asylum hotel riot accused says he went to join ‘peaceful protest’

Brian McPadden, 61, denies throwing any of missiles that injured police officers, or setting fire to a police van

A man accused of taking part in a riot outside a Merseyside hotel housing asylum seekers told a jury he went to take part in a “peaceful protest” about local girls allegedly being propositioned by the hotel residents.

Brian McPadden, 61, admitted going to protest outside the Suites hotel in Knowsley on 10 February last year but said he did not throw any of the missiles that left three police officers injured, or set fire to a police van.