Nine arrests and more to come as police attacked at Tommy Robinson protest
Thousands arrived in the capital to attend Tommy Robinsonâs âUnite the Kingdomâ protest as well as the counter-demonstration organised by Stand Up To Racism (Lucy North/PA)
Police officers have been assaulted as they faced âsignificant aggressionâ from protesters at a âfreedom of speech festivalâ led by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, Scotland Yard said.
There were nine arrests, with many more likely, the force said, as violence flared at the protest, which featured a guest appearance from Tesla and X owner Elon Musk.
British home secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned protesters who attacked and injured police and vowed that anyone âtaking part in criminal activity will face the full force of the lawâ.
Around 110,000 people were estimated by police to have gathered in Whitehall, London, for the âUnite the Kingdomâ event, which faced counter-protests by around 5,000 anti-racism campaigners.
A stage was set up to hear a series of speeches from far-right personalities and politicians and included an interview between Robinson and Musk, who accorded with the overriding theme of the day by proclaiming the âdestruction of Britainâ because of âmassive uncontrolled migrationâ.
But, 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: âWhen officers moved in to stop them, they faced unacceptable violence. They were assaulted with kicks and punches. Bottles, flares and other projectiles were thrown.
âNine 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.
âOfficers 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.â
Projectiles were thrown by Robinson protesters towards the counter-demonstrators as thousands from both sides stared each other down on Whitehall.
A line of police horses faced the sea of Union flags and at one point, a glass bottle appeared to smash against a horse, causing the horse and rider to stagger backwards.
Scuffles broke out as police used batons to try and push back thousands of Robinson supporters gathered on the top of Whitehall and Trafalgar Square in order to allow counter-protesters to leave safely.
Later more than a hundred helmeted officers along with dozens of mounted police pushed Robinson supporters, by this point largely dispersed, back further from Trafalgar Square and towards Embankment station.
As well as Musk, the âUniteâ protest featured speeches from Robinson and other activists, including former actor Laurence Fox, former Apprentice candidate Katie Hopkins, along with musical performers.
It also featured far-right French politician Eric Zemmour, who came in fourth place in the first round of the 2022 French presidential election; leader of the Danish Peopleâs Party Morten Messerschmidt; Petr Bystron of the far-right Alternative for Germany party; Polish right-wing politician Dominik Tarczynski; Belgian anti-immigration activist Filip Dewinter; and television personality Ant Middleton who is running to be Mayor of London.
The âUnite the Kingdomâ rally overran the 6pm cut off time imposed by police under the Public Order Act, while the Stand Up To Racism counter protest had been due to finish at 4pm.
Five Premier League football matches are also set to take place on Saturday, including derbies between West Ham and Tottenham, and Brentford and Chelsea.
More than 1,600 officers will be deployed in total across the city, with 500 brought in from other forces, the Metropolitan Police said.
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