Tommy Robinson supporters “kicked and punched” police officers during one of Britain’s largest ever Right-wing rallies, the Met Police has claimed.
More than 100,000 people descended on central London for the “Unite the Kingdom” demonstration on Saturday.
Nine arrests were made and Scotland Yard said more were expected.
The force said that officers “faced unacceptable violence” from protesters and “were assaulted with kicks and punches” and “bottles, flares and other projectiles” were also thrown.
A spokesman said on X: “Nine arrests have been made so far for various offences, but many more people have been identified as committing offences. We will find them and they will face police action, even if it is not possible to do so today.”
Many of the protesters gathered on Whitehall, where they heard a series of speeches from Robinson, who organised the protest, as well as Katie Hopkins, Laurence Fox, and Elon Musk, via videolink.
Elon Musk told protesters there was an ‘increasing erosion of Britain’
The streets of the capital were filled with Union, St George’s, Welsh and Scottish flags, while slogans on their flags included “Stop the Boats”, “Send them Home” and “Unite the Kingdom”.
Protesters also held up signs in tribute to Charlie Kirk, the US conservative activist who was fatally shot earlier this week while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University.
Robinson’s supporters claimed that three million people had joined the protest, which would have made it the largest protest in British history, but the Met put the figure at around 110,000.
Some 1,000 police officers were deployed.
Speaking to the crowd from a stage on Whitehall, Robinson claimed that politicians are now “parroting” what he has been saying for 15 years.
He told protesters: “Politicians all of a sudden are finding courage and they’re parroting the things that we have said for 15 years. They slaughtered us, they demonised us, they attacked us and they imprisoned us.”
He added: “When we energise, when we captivate, when we electrify those 20 million people. That is when we regain power of our country”.
Mr Musk, whose face appeared on a large screen, said: “I think there’s something beautiful about being British and what I see happening here is a destruction of Britain, initially a slow erosion but rapidly increasing erosion of Britain with massive uncontrolled migration.
“A failure by the government to protect innocent people including children who are getting gang-raped. It’s unreal the government has failed in its duty to protect its citizens which is a fundamental duty of government.”
He added: “There’s so much violence on the left, with our friend Charlie Kirk getting murdered in cold blood this week and people on the left celebrating it openly.
“The left is the party of murder and celebrating murder. I mean, let that sink in for a minute, that’s who we’re dealing with here.”
Meanwhile, the Met estimated that around 5,000 people joined a nearby counter-protest organised by Stand Up To Racism (SUTR).
At one point, the group were just metres away from Tommy Robinson supporters and the two groups stared each down while separated by a line of police officers.
Projectiles, including a traffic cone, bottles and pieces of wood, were thrown across the divide and photographs showed several protesters with bloodied faces.
There were also reports of a police horse being struck by a glass bottle and an officer was seen trying to stamp out a flare in the gap between the two protest groups.
Several men were seen being detained by police.
One man shouted “this is what England has become” as he was handcuffed with his head pressed against the road at the front of the crowd of Tommy Robinson supporters.
Officers rushed him to the side of Whitehall where he was detained and then walked, bent-double, to a police van.
Independent MP Diane Abbott told a crowd of anti-fascist protesters that Tommy Robinson’s allies “are some of the most anti-women forces in society”.
She said: “They are trying to drag women into their project, they are claiming that they are protecting women, but they are some of the most anti-women forces in society – they oppose equal pay, they oppose action against discrimination, they belittle sexual harassment as banter.
“So we are here to stand together, we are here to fight, and we are here in the certainty that we will defeat the fascists.”
The march shows “fascists cannot walk the streets of London unopposed”, she told the crowd from the stage on Whitehall.
“We know racism and violence and fascism is not new”, she said, adding: “But you know what? We have always defeated that racism and violence.”
That’s all for today
Thank you for following our live coverage of the “Unite the Kingdom” protest in central London.
Here’s a summary of the key moments:
-
The Metropolitan Police estimated that the number of people at the rally was around 110,000, while Tommy Robinson’s supporters claimed the figure was closer to three million.
-
The streets of the capital were filled with Union Jacks, St George’s, Welsh and Scottish flags, while logans on their flags included “Stop the Boats”, “Send them Home” and “Unite the Kingdom”.
-
Meanwhile, the Met estimated that around 5,000 people joined a nearby counter-protest organised by Stand Up To Racism.
-
The force said that officers had been attacked by projectiles and had been kicked and punched by protesters.
-
Police said that nine people had been arrested and many more are likely after police officers were faced with “unacceptable violence”.
Watch: Antifa members at counter-protest
‘This is what England has become’
One man shouted “this is what England has become” as he was handcuffed with his head pressed against the road at the front of the crowd of Tommy Robinson supporters.
Officers rushed him to the side of Whitehall where he was detained and then walked, bent-double, to a police van.
Further scuffles broke out between police and Tommy Robinson supporters as they moved the group out of Whitehall.
Objects including a traffic cone, bottles and pieces of wood were thrown at the line of officers as they started to push the group back towards Trafalgar Square and Northumberland Avenue at around 5.25pm.
Musk calls Left ‘party of murder’
Mr Musk told the protest rally: “There’s so much violence on the left, with our friend Charlie Kirk getting murdered in cold blood this week and people on the left celebrating it openly.
“The left is the party of murder and celebrating murder. I mean, let that sink in for a minute, that’s who we’re dealing with here.”
Elon Musk appears via videolink at the protest
Musk speaks to protesters via videolink
Elon Musk, speaking by videolink to the Tommy Robinson protest, said: “I think there’s something beautiful about being British and what I see happening here is a destruction of Britain, initially a slow erosion but rapidly increasing erosion of Britain with massive uncontrolled migration.
“A failure by the government to protect innocent people including children who are getting gang-raped. It’s unreal the government has failed in its duty to protect its citizens which is a fundamental duty of government.”
Nine arrests and more expected, says Met
Nine people have been arrested and many more are likely after police officers were faced with “unacceptable violence” at today’s protest, the Metropolitan Police has said.
In a statement, the force said: “The turnout for the ‘Unite the Kingdom’ protest was too big to fit into Whitehall. Protesters left the route onto Victoria Embankment and sought to access Whitehall from multiple directions as shown on the map below.
“When officers moved in to stop them they faced unacceptable violence. They were assaulted with kicks and punches. Bottles, flares and other projectiles were thrown.
“Nine arrests have been made so far for various offences, but many more people have been identified as committing offences. We will find them and they will face police action, even if it is not possible to do so today.
“Officers are continuing to face aggression in multiple locations, in particular at the north of Whitehall as they work to create a safe exit route for those who have been taking part in the Stand Up To Racism protest.”
A map released by the Met Police showing where disorder has taken place – Met Police
Foreign politicians speak to crowd
French politician Éric Zemmour, who came in fourth place in the first round of the 2022 French presidential election, told the crowds that the “freedom of our peoples is in danger”.
Speaking in French which was translated for the audience, he said: “We are both subject to the same process of the great replacement of our European people by peoples coming from the south and of Muslim culture, you and we are being colonised by our former colonies.”
Morten Messerschmidt, leader of the Danish People’s Party, also addressed the rally and said: “People like us here today, worried about crime, immigration and the future of their country, (are) now branded as criminals for daring to speak out.”
He added: “Wanting safe streets and secure borders does not make us villains, it makes us patriots, loving your country and protecting your community is not a crime, it is a duty.”
Petr Bystron, who represents the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in the Bundestag, told the rally: “Your enemies are our enemies, your fight is our fight.
“We do not want our daughters, our sisters, getting raped. We do not want our brothers, our friends, getting stabbed when they are defending them.”
Tommy Robinson supporters have converged in central London for the rally – London News Pictures Ltd
Watch: Protesters chant ‘get them out’
Credit: Oscar Jaeger
‘Police horse struck by glass bottle’
The Metropolitan Police said there has been “significant aggression” aimed at officers by “Unite the Kingdom” protesters, adding that it has deployed extra officers with protective equipment and police horses to deal with the disorder.
As a line of police horses faced the crowd of Tommy Robinson supporters, a glass bottle appeared to smash against one of them, causing the horse and its rider to stagger backwards, according to the PA news agency.
Drinks cans have also been thrown by Robinson protesters towards counter demonstrators, with only metres between the two crowds. An officer was also seen trying to stamp out a flare in the gap between the two protest groups on Whitehall.
A Stand Up to Racism speaker reiterated from the stage that stewards were working to find a safe route for protesters to exit Whitehall, as Robinson supporters had congregated on each adjoining road.
Police officers separate the two crowds of protesters – REUTERS
Man detained as police send in reinforcements
Metropolitan Police officers have detained a man near to Scotland Yard’s headquarters.
The man, who was wearing a black blazer and had a Union flag wrapped around his waist, was escorted by several officers away from Whitehall Gardens on Victoria Embankment and down Horse Guards Avenue.
Extra riot police rushed through the crowd of Stand up to Racism supporters to back up the horses and officers holding the line between the two protest groups on Whitehall.
Missiles were thrown and Tommy Robinson supporters were seen clashing with police shortly after 4pm.
A young man with blood pouring down his face was removed from the crowd of Robinson supporters at Trafalgar Square by police.
He was escorted by helmet-clad officers through a crowd of of Stand Up to Racism protesters, some of which shouted “w—er” as he walked past holding his head.
Heavy rain but protest goes on
Heavy rain has forced many to leave or take shelter where they can.
While plenty have left or are on their way out, the crowd is still very big.
There is plenty of rubbish – particularly cans and bottles of beer – littered on Parliament Street.
A man with a wounded eye and blood-stained shirt turns away from police with riot shields – George Cracknell Wright
‘Robinson supporters are anti-women,’ says Diane Abbott
Independent MP Diane Abbott has told a crowd of anti-fascist protesters that Tommy Robinson’s allies “are some of the most anti-women forces in society”.
She said: “They are trying to drag women into their project, they are claiming that they are protecting women, but they are some of the most anti-women forces in society – they oppose equal pay, they oppose action against discrimination, they belittle sexual harassment as banter.
“So we are here to stand together, we are here to fight, and we are here in the certainty that we will defeat the fascists.”
The march shows “fascists cannot walk the streets of London unopposed”, she told the crowd from the stage on Whitehall.
“We know racism and violence and fascism is not new”, she said, adding: “But you know what? We have always defeated that racism and violence.”
Tommy Robinson takes to the stage
Tommy Robinson, speaking to the crowd from a stage on Whitehall, has claimed politicians are now “parroting” what he has been saying for 15 years.
He told protesters: “Politicians all of a sudden are finding courage and they’re parroting the things that we have said for 15 years. They slaughtered us, they demonised us, they attacked us and they imprisoned us.”
The far-Right activist said Sir Keir Starmer “slithered” into Government with nine million votes.
He said his own supporters had not voted and needed to mobilise.
“When we energise, when we captivate, when we electrify those 20 million people. That is when we regain power of our country,” he said.
Tommy Robinson surrounded by protesters at today’s rally – AFP
Watch: Police clash with protesters
The Met Police has posted footage showing dozens of male protesters confronting police officers.
The force said on X: “Officers are having to intervene in multiple locations to stop Unite the Kingdom protesters trying to access sterile areas, breach police cordons or get to opposing groups.
“A number of officers have been assaulted.”
Hopkins: ‘You better love our flag’
Speaking on a stage on Whitehall, Katie Hopkins told the protesters that they will “get freedoms back for our kids and grandchildren”.
She said: “I don’t care what religion you are, just don’t try and take your religion and shove it down the faces of my children or my people…
“When it comes to race and colour, we don’t care what colour you are, we don’t care where you come from, but if you want to come to this fine country, you better come here, you better work hard, you better fit in, you better love our flag because if you don’t want to fit in, then you can f— off.”
Protesters display the St George’s flag on the Boadicea and Her Daughters statue on Victoria Embankment – Joanna Chan
Stare down as two protest groups meet
Counter-protesters were just metres away from Tommy Robinson supporters and the two groups stared each down while separated by a line of police officers.
The Robinson protesters, who were behind police carrying riot shields, waved Union flags and a metres-wide St George’s flag that said “stop the boats”. They could be seen shouting at the line of officers and towards the anti-fascist crowd.
The anti-fascist protesters, gathered on Whitehall, shouted “fascist scum” and “whose streets, our streets” and carried placards that said “refugees welcome. Stop the far-Right”.
Protesters attack police, says Met
Tommy Robinson protesters have attacked police officers, the Metropolitan Police said.
It said on X: “A crowd of ‘Unite the Kingdom’ protesters attempted to enter the sterile area on Whitehall that is [in] place to keep the two protests apart.
“Officers were attacked with projectiles and have had to use force to avoid their cordon being breached.”
Police officers heckled by protesters
A number of police who have walked in from Bridge Street were greeted with boos by many protesters.
Police are also being called “scum” and being told to “f— off” as another convoy of them march back out towards Bridge Street.
A number of flares have been also lit.
Police officers tackle a man to the ground at the protest – Christopher Furlong
‘Let’s keep things safe and civil,’ urges Robinson
Tommy Robinson urged his followers to remain calm because of frustration from protesters not able to get close enough to the stage and hear the speeches being made.
He said on X: “We understand peoples frustrations at not being able to get near the stage or the PA system.
“We are asking all of you, everyone who is understandably frustrated, to please remain calm and peaceful.
“Let’s keep things safe and civil.”
A protester dressed as an English Knight – London News Pictures Ltd
Haka performed on stage
A protester, who has climbed up on to a traffic light post, said: “I’ve got the best view.”
Meanwhile, up on the Whitehall stage, a traditional Haka dance is being performed by a group of bare-chested members of the Destiny Church in New Zealand.
Some of the crowd left earlier due to the rain, but that has now ceased and the protest is bathed in Autumnal sunshine.
Counter protesters arrive on Whitehall
Thousands of anti-fascist protesters have arrived on Whitehall shouting “our streets” and “the people united will never be defeated”.
They turned the corner into the street shortly before 2.30pm and walked towards a stage where speakers will soon address the crowds.
St George’s and Union flags could be seen on the other end of Whitehall where Tommy Robinson’s rally is being held, with the two demonstrations divided by a large police presence including vans.
‘Our nation matters,’ says Laurence Fox
Laurence Fox said he was praying for Charlie Kirk and said a “sword” should be taken to people shutting down free speech.
”Our nation matters. This is our home, we have nowhere else to go,” the actor-turned-politician shouted.
‘Oh Tommy Tommy’ chants fills streets of London
Thousands of protesters have descended on Whitehall for today’s protest organised by Tommy Robinson.
Draped in Union Jack, English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish flags, protesters sang “We want Starmer out” while also chanting for the rally organiser Robinson.
They sang: “Oh Tommy, Tommy. Tommy, Tommy, Tommy Robinson.”
There is plenty of recognition for the late Charlie Kirk, with number of posters saying: “RIP Charlie Kirk” and “Rest in Paradise Charlie Kirk”.
Police from all over the UK are here, with a number of divisional vans from Durham Constabulary and Northumbria Police in attendance.
Credit: Gezim Hilaj
Protesters run for cover as rain falls
Some people attending the “Unite the Kingdom” protest ran for cover under trees in Parliament Square as heavy rain briefly began falling in Westminster.
However, a large majority of the crowd, some with Union jack umbrellas, remained in front of the rally stage on Whitehall.
The downpour also did not dampen the spirits of Stand Up to Racism protesters as they marched along on the Strand, nearing Whitehall.
Rain-soaked protesters, led by a group of women in hi-vis who had linked arms, shouted: “Let in every refugee, throw the Nazis in the sea.”
“Tell me what community looks like, this is what community looks like”, they chanted.
Around 110,000 at rally, says Met
The Metropolitan Police estimated that the number of people at the “Unite the Kingdom” rally was around 110,000.
It put the number at the counter “Stand Up To Racism” demonstration at around 5,000.
A force spokesman said estimates were difficult but that it used CCTV and police helicopter footage to calculate the figures.
And they conceded that there would be differences between their estimates and that of the organisers.
Credit: Gezim Hilaj
Charlie Kirk remembered at protest
Protesters are holding up photographs of Charlie Kirk, the US conservative activist who was fatally shot earlier this week while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University.
Protesters hold a picture of US conservative activist Charlie Kirk – REUTERS
‘We are making history,’ claims Robinson
Counter-protest march begins
Hundreds of Stand Up to Racism protesters have started to march towards Whitehall from Russell Square.
The crowd chanted “stand up fight back” and “we are the women, we won’t be silenced, stop the fascists now, now, now, now”.
Scotland Yard said there had been “no incidents of note” as the Stand Up To Racism march set off.
The force has confirmed it is not using live facial recognition in its policing of the demonstration.
It said: “We’re using a mobile CCTV van to help monitor the build up of crowds. Officers have been asked if it’s using ‘live facial recognition’ – we can confirm it is not.”
The live facial recognition technology – which captures people’s faces in real-time CCTV cameras – was used in the policing operation at the Notting Hill Carnival.
Pictured: Fox, Hopkins and Robinson
Laurence Fox and Katie Hopkins have joined Tommy Robinson at the protest, linking arm-in-arm as they led protesters through the streets of central London.
Laurence Fox (left), Katie Hopkins and Tommy Robinson arm-in-arm at the protest – Ben Montgomery
Ant Middleton and Katie Hopkins to join
TV star Ant Middleton, Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson and presenter Katie Hopkins are all set to speak at the event.
It has been described by Robinson as “the UK’s biggest free speech festival”.
Thousands have taken to the streets in London, with a counter-protest being held nearby – Guy Bell/Alamy
Counter-protest takes place
Robinson claimed on X just before 1pm that he was “hearing police estimate 3 million patriots on the streets”. The Metropolitan Police said it would not be providing a crowd estimate.
A livestream of the event on Robinson’s X account was being watched by more than 300,000 people by midday.
Meanwhile, a counter-protest, dubbed March Against Fascism, organised by Stand Up To Racism (SUTR), is also due to take place.
The march will be led by hundreds of women, SUTR said, including independent MP Diane Abbott.
Thousands gather for rally
Thousands of people have gathered in London for a rally organised by the anti-immigration activist Tommy Robinson.
The “Unite the Kingdom” event comes after the fatal shooting of American conservative Charlie Kirk in Utah earlier this week.
Huge crowds brandishing Union flags have massed near Waterloo Station and are expected to progress towards the southern end of Whitehall.
People could be seen displaying a variety of messages on flags and placards on London’s Southbank at the protest meeting point.
Others waved England flags with the words “stop the boats”, “Charlie Kirk RIP” and “enough is enough, save our children”.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has called on attendees of the rally to not wear masks, drink alcohol or be violent.
Credit: Reuters
Disclaimer: This news has been automatically collected from the source link above. Our website does not create, edit, or publish the content. All information, statements, and opinions expressed belong solely to the original publisher. We are not responsible or liable for the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of any news, nor for any statements, views, or claims made in the content. All rights remain with the respective source.