- Author, Tom Symonds
- Role, Correspondent, BBC News
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Thousands of supporters of far-right activist Tommy Robinson filled Trafalgar Square in central London after a march.
He claimed the event was the “largest patriotic gathering” the UK had ever seen.
A counter-protest organised by Stand Up To Racism and former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s Peace & Justice Project also took place in London.
The Metropolitan Police said a major operation was in place to “keep the peace” between the two protests, amid fears of serious disruption.
A Trans Pride event also took place in the capital.
Amid a sea of English flags and the Union Jack, Tommy Robinson’s supporters listened to speeches attacking immigration and promoting “patriotism”.
He received loud cheers in Trafalgar Square when he asked the crowd how many of them had voted for Reform in the general election.
He revealed that he had asked Nigel Farage to speak at the rally but was told by the Reform leader he “couldn’t come”.
At the anti-racism counter-protest held nearby, Jeremy Corbyn gave a speech and protesters held placards reading “No to racism, no to hate” and chanted “We will not be silent”.
The Metropolitan Police said five arrests had been made:
- Two men arrested on suspicion of ‘GBH level’ [grievous bodily harm] “Assault” after a participant in the Stand Up To Racism protest was attacked in Victoria Embankment Gardens, police said. The victim suffered a head injury and received first aid from officers
- A member of the public has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting a steward at Trans Pride, and another man has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker and committing a racially aggravated public order offence after a police officer was kicked.
- A man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and racially motivated public disorder after allegedly breaking a Palestinian flag and making racially offensive remarks.
The Metropolitan Police did not say whether the five people arrested had taken part in any of Saturday’s protests.
Ahead of the marches, police barricaded Whitehall and mobile units were stationed in side streets around Westminster.
About 1,000 police officers were on duty and Scotland Yard used its powers under the Public Order Act to impose strict conditions on the date and location of the two protests. The police said the officers would remain on duty after the marches had ended.
Chief Superintendent Colin Wingrove, who was in charge of the weekend operation, said police would “intervene decisively” to deal with protesters who breached the conditions.
He said: “Our first priority is to maintain peace to ensure that those exercising their right to legally protest can do so safely.”
Tommy Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, faces contempt of court proceedings at the Royal Courts of Justice on Monday after being accused of continuing to speak online about a defamation case he lost in 2021.
