Cliff Notes
- Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned violence against police during the “Unite the Kingdom” march in London, stating that those involved in criminal activity will face legal repercussions.
- The Metropolitan Police reported at least 25 arrests and multiple injuries among officers, including serious cases, as protesters clashed with anti-racism demonstrators.
- Tommy Robinson, who organised the rally, claimed it represented a significant moment for free speech, while notable figures like Elon Musk called for political change during the event.
25 arrested and 26 officers hurt – as up to 150,000 people join ‘Unite the Kingdom’ march in London | UK News
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The home secretary has condemned protesters who attacked and injured police officers in London on Saturday as up to 150,000 people turned up to join a march organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
Shabana Mahmood vowed that anyone found to have taken part in criminal activity would “face the full force of the law” – as police said at least 25 people were arrested and 26 officers were injured – including four who were seriously hurt.
Protesters forming the “Unite the Kingdom” rally gathered in the centre of the capital, holding Union and St George’s flags.
They heard a series of speeches, including from Mr Robinson, who called it the “biggest freedom of speech” in British history.
Police estimated that between 110,000 to 150,000 attended the event, significantly exceeding the estimates of organisers.
An anti-racism counter-protest, attended by about 5,000 campaigners, also took place, with the two groups clashing on Whitehall and Trafalgar Square, separated by lines of police.
The Metropolitan Police‘s Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said officers faced “significant aggression” from “Unite the Kingdom” attendees.
“The violence they faced was wholly unacceptable,” he said.
“Twenty-six officers were injured, including four seriously – among them broken teeth, a possible broken nose, a concussion, a prolapsed disc and a head injury.”
People have been arrested for a range of offences, including affray, violent disorder, assaults, and criminal damage.
Ms Mahmood said on X: “The right to peaceful protest is fundamental to this nation. I thank the police who worked hard to ensure much of today’s protest was peaceful. But I condemn those who have attacked and injured police officers.
“Anyone taking part in criminal activity will face the full force of the law.”
Police said the Robinson crowd was too big to fit into Whitehall and confrontation happened when police tried to stop them from encircling counter-protesters and accessing the area from different routes.
A spokesman said: “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.”
Officers continued to face aggression in multiple locations, in particular at the north of Whitehall as they worked to create a safe exit route for those who had been taking part in the Stand Up To Racism protest.
Robinson supporters hurled projectiles at counter-demonstrators as thousands from both groups faced off on Whitehall, police said.
A row of police horses stood opposite a crowd waving Union flags, and at one point, a glass bottle seemed to strike one of the horses, causing both the animal and its rider to stumble backward.
Musk makes surprise appearance
Robinson live-streamed the rally on X, with its audience peaking at 2.9 million viewers on Saturday afternoon.
Making a surprise appearance via video link, tech billionaire Elon Musk called for a “change of government” in the UK.
“You can’t – we don’t have another four years, or whenever the next election is, it’s too long,” Musk told the crowd. “Something’s got to be done. There’s got to be a dissolution of parliament and a new vote held.”
TV presenter Katie Hopkins also spoke after earlier appearing alongside Robinson, Lawrence Fox and Ant Middleton at the front of the march.
‘Revolution has started – you can’t stop it’
With a voice which sounded hoarse from shouting, Robinson told crowds during his speech that “millions” had showed up for the rally.
“The dam has well and truly burst,” he said. “The cat is out of the bag and there is no putting it back in. The silent majority will be silent no longer.”
Addressing Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour government, Robinson said: “The revolution has started – and you can’t stop it.”
Referring to a Court of Appeal decision to overturn an injunction blocking asylum seekers being housed at The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, Robinson claimed UK courts found the rights of undocumented migrants supersede those of the “local community”.
He said: “They told the world that Somalians, Afghanis, Pakistanis, all of them, their rights supersede yours – the British public, the people that built this nation.”