By Stephanie Cureton
HUNDREDS of anti-establishment protestors stormed a Wirral court today and "arrested" a judge.
In chaotic scenes, police rescued Judge Michael Peake from their clutches and escorted him safely from the building.
Protestors from the public gallery charged at Mr Peake to make a civil arrest chanting “arrest that judge”.
Police scrambled over court benches to control the near-riot and one protestor shouted “seal the court.”
Another sat in the judge’s chair at the head of the court and declared Mr Hayes as “released”.
Around 600 chanting demonstrators massed around the County Court in Birkenhead.
Deafening cheers and chants could be heard from the crowd outside and protestors used mobile phones to film arrests being made.
Roads were blockaded and dozens of police officers deployed to keep order.
A stand-off followed with several demonstrators staging a sit-down protest in front of police vehicles, refusing to let them pass.
Six arrests were made - two for assaulting officers.
The protestors were from the anti-establishment "British Constitution Group."
The demonstration was sparked when one of the prominent voices in the BCG, Wirral man Roger Hayes, faced a hearing for non-payment of council tax.
In 1997, Mr Hayes, a former member of UKIP, stood for election in Wallasey representing the Referendum Party against sitting Labour MP Angela Eagle. He polled 1,490 votes and finished fourth.
As he emerged from the court surrounded by his supporters, Mr Hayes said: "The judges are breaking the law in their own courts.
"I asked him (Mr Peake) if he was serving under his oath of office.
"I asked three times for him to confirm this and he refused.
"So I civilly arrested the judge and I called upon some people in the court to assist me in this.
"They were acting lawfully and the police should not have arrested them."
The hearing was abandoned and will need to be re-arranged at a date to be fixed.
Raymond Saintclair, who organised the Birkenhead protest, said: "Today was day-one.
"This is going to happen again and again and again.
"We have sent a message to this court as one nation and one voice until change comes."
The BCG's main aim is a rallying call for "lawful rebellion."
Leaflets handed out by the crowd said: "We, the British People have a right to govern ourselves.
"That right has been subjugated as a consequence of acts of treason having been committed by the collective political establishment, aided and abetted by corrupt segments of the judiciary, the police, the Church and the civil service."
A Merseyside Police spokesman said six men, whose ages range from 20 to 41, were arrested - two for assaulting officers and four for breach of peace and obstructing police.
They have been taken to police stations around Wirral where they will be questioned.
A statement from the force said: "Officers are committed to facilitating peaceful protests but will not tolerate criminal behaviour, disorder or anti-social behaviour during any demonstrations within Merseyside."
Wirral Council leader, Cllr Jeff Green, said: "Have these people given any thought to what happens to the likes of Sure Start, public libraries or other services that people depend on? Not many people like paying tax but we accept the need for tax.
"I am disappointed that this case has been adjourned, but in the light of the events that took place, understand the court’s decision.
"However, before anyone else gets any ideas about not paying their Council Tax, let me assure everyone that Wirral Council is stepping up its activity to ensure that everyone pays their fair share. Nobody is above the law."
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