The leaders of street campaign group Britain First have been charged with “religiously aggravated harassment”, after allegedly distributing leaflets in Kent.

Leader Paul Golding, 35, and his deputy Jayda Fransen, 31, both former members of the racist British National Party, were arrested by Kent Police in May, and then re-arrested three months later.

Kent Police said their investigation into the pair was related to leaflets distributed in Thanet and Canterbury, and videos posted during the gang rape trial at Canterbury Crown Court.

Britain First leader Golding has been charged with three counts of causing religiously aggravated harassment, while his deputy Fransen has been charged with four counts.

The force said:

“Two people have been charged with causing religiously aggravated harassment following an investigation by Kent Police.

“Paul Golding, 35, and Jayda Fransen, 31, both from Penge, south-east London, were arrested on Wednesday 10 May 2017.

“The investigation related to the distribution of leaflets in the Thanet and Canterbury areas, and the posting of online videos during a trial held at Canterbury Crown Court the same month.”

Both have been bailed to appear before Medway magistrates on 17 October 2017.