Nepal UK
Picture: PA Media
London, UK – A major protest organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson in central London on Saturday resulted in violent clashes with police, leaving at least 26 officers injured and leading to 25 arrests. The Metropolitan Police described the violence as "wholly unacceptable," with some protesters throwing bottles and other projectiles.
The demonstration, billed as a "Unite the Kingdom" rally, drew a crowd estimated by police to be up to 110,000 people, significantly exceeding the organisers' expectations. The huge turnout led to a breakdown in crowd control, as marchers were unable to be contained within the designated area in Whitehall.
As a nearby counter-protest organised by Stand Up To Racism drew around 5,000 people, police formed lines to keep the two groups separated. However, some of Robinson’s supporters ignored police directions, attempting to breach cordons and enter secure areas. The Met reported that officers were "assaulted with kicks and punches" during these attempts.
In a surprise appearance, tech billionaire Elon Musk addressed the crowd via video link, speaking about "massive uncontrolled migration" and calling for a "dissolution of Parliament" and a new vote to be held in the UK. Other speakers included TV presenter Katie Hopkins.
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist stated that officers had suffered serious injuries, including broken teeth, a broken nose, a concussion, and a prolapsed disc. He added that the 25 arrests were just the beginning, with the force vowing to identify more individuals involved in the disorder. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned those who had attacked officers, warning that "anyone taking part in criminal activity will face the full force of the law."
