A Liberty GB spokesman said: "Mr Weston was standing on the steps of Winchester Guildhall, addressing the passers-by in the street with a megaphone.

"He quoted an excerpt about Islam from the book The River War by Winston Churchill.

"Reportedly, a woman came out of the Guildhall and asked Mr Weston if he had the authorisation to make this speech.

"When he answered that he didn't, she told him: 'It's disgusting', and then called the police.

"Six or seven officers arrived. They talked with the people standing nearby, asking questions about what had happened.

"The police had a long discussion with Mr Weston, lasting about 40 minutes.

"At about 3pm he was arrested. They searched him, put him in a police van and took him away."