Hundreds of anti-mask protesters march on Hyde Park refusing to wear face coverings ahead of new coronavirus shop rules

HUNDREDS of protesters gathered in Hyde Park this afternoon to demonstrate against the wearing of face masks.

Face masks will become compulsory in shops from July 24 - and anyone who fails to wear one can be hit with a £100 fine.

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Activists brandished signs reading "I will not be masked, tested, tracked" and "no mask" as they gathered for the 'Keep Britain Free' march today.

The group claim the government acted "illegally" by putting the country into lockdown and are opposed to a Covid-19 vaccination.

One man was photographed wearing a white t-shirt that said: "Save human rights, no to 5G, no to vaccinations", while another woman had the words "question everything" written on the front of her top.

Another attendee wore a plague doctor costume while one had a mask with the front ripped out.

Organiser Leah Butler-Smith told the crowd in central London, who were not observing social distancing rules: "It is just the fact that people are being told they have no choice about wearing a mask.

"Because the government started out by saying there was absolutely no way there was any need for a mask, and many other independent scientists have repeatedly said the same, then it didn't make sense why they were suddenly going to be mandated – but only in some places."

Ms Butler-Smith also accused the government of trying to "deliberately frighten people" and claimed that ministers "absolutely" had an ulterior motive to making masks compulsory.

Her comments - which have been rubbished by scientific experts - come as people will be made to wear face coverings in shops in England from Friday.

The government was accused of confusing the public with the announcement last week when Matt Hancock said people must cover up when they pop into a cafe like Pret for a takeaway, but not if they dine in.

Just hours later, No10 issued what appeared to be a U-turn and said they would not be mandatory in cafes at all.

Labour accused the government of "making it up as they go along" and baffling Brits with their flip flopping.

People will not have to wear a mask when exercising in the gym, drinking in a pub or eating out at a restaurant.