THOUSANDS of farmers are planning a breakaway protest in London after their union declined to back a mass demo.
The National Farmers’ Union wants to lobby the government over what it calls a “family farm tax” announced in the Budget.
But it warned of legal issues in turning up in large numbers and feared loss of public support.
It said only the 1,800 who had registered to attend its event in Westminster on November 19 should attend.
In response, a separate group has applied to hold a protest.
Organiser Clive Bailye said: “People just feel the NFU is a bit wishy-washy.”
Sun columnist Jeremy Clarkson, who owns Diddly Squat farm in the Coltswolds, was among those hoping to join the NFU protest but abandoned his plans.
He added: “Perhaps if I had draped my tractor in a Palestinian flag, it …