About 110,000 people joined the Tommy Robinson London protest on Saturday, far exceeding expectations and spilling beyond the approved route in Whitehall. Police said officers faced “unacceptable violence” as some protesters kicked and punched to breach cordons and hurled bottles and flares. A smaller counter-protest of roughly 5,000, organised by Stand Up To Racism, marched on a separate route.
26 Officers Injured; Arrests Updated
The Metropolitan Police said 26 officers were injured, including four seriously. The force initially recorded 25 arrests; it later corrected that figure to 24 after removing duplicate entries and warned that more arrests are likely as investigators review footage. The Tommy Robinson London protest therefore remains under post-event investigation.
Politics and Policing Collide
Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended the right to peaceful protest but condemned assaults on officers and intimidation on Britain’s streets. He said the national flag should never be a symbol of “violence, fear and division.” Those remarks followed the Tommy Robinson London protest and a weekend of debate over how authorities should police mass demonstrations tied to immigration.
Elon Musk’s Video Appearance Fuels Backlash
Elon Musk addressed the rally by video link, telling attendees that “violence is coming” and that they must “fight back or die,” while calling for a dissolution of Parliament and a change of government. Senior politicians from across parties criticised the comments as “inappropriate” and “disgusting,” with calls for possible sanctions.
What’s Next
Police say they are identifying individuals involved in disorder and will pursue further action. Immigration remains a dominant political issue as the UK sees high asylum-claim numbers, adding urgency to government pledges while testing the line between free speech, public safety and community cohesion.
