The neo-Nazis at an anti-trans rally at the centre of the defamation trial against Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto claimed they were there to “protect” MP Moira Deeming and other members of the Let Women Speak movement, a court has heard.

Tom Sewell, leader of the far-right National Socialist Network, posted on Telegram hours after the March 2023 rally, which Mrs Deeming helped organise, that members had acted as a “vanguard” for it, Mr Pesutto’s barrister Matt Collins, KC, told the Federal Court on Wednesday.