Twenty-six officers have been injured whereas policing a protest organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, which noticed as much as 150,000 folks march by central London.
Tensions flared on the Unite the Kingdom rally, with some protesters throwing bottles and different projectiles at police, the Metropolitan Police mentioned – leaving 4 critically damage.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk spoke to protesters on Whitehall by way of videolink; whereas 5,000 folks joined a close-by counter-protest organised by Stand Up To Racism.
The Met mentioned 25 folks had been arrested for a spread of offences in what it described as “wholly unacceptable” violence.
An enormous policing operation was put in place in central London with the Met deploying 1,000 officers and drafting in an additional 500 from different forces together with Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Devon and Cornwall.
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist mentioned officers had “policed with out worry or favour”, understanding it could be difficult.
“There is no such thing as a doubt that many got here to train their lawful proper to protest, however there have been many who got here intent on violence,” he mentioned.
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Mr Twist mentioned officers had suffered damaged tooth, concussion, a prolapsed disc, a head damage and a attainable damaged nostril.
“The 25 arrests we’ve made to date is simply the beginning,” he added because the Met vowed to establish these concerned in dysfunction.
Residence Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned “those that have attacked and injured law enforcement officials”.
“Anybody participating in felony exercise will face the complete pressure of the legislation,” she added.
Round mid-afternoon, the 2 demonstrations had been divided on Whitehall by traces of law enforcement officials.
Whereas the rally started largely peacefully, the Met mentioned some officers had been attacked whereas making an attempt to maintain the 2 teams aside.
The Unite the Kingdom protest had “exceeded the estimates of organisers”, the pressure mentioned, which meant there was not sufficient area for all of them in Whitehall and Parliament Sq..
Massive crowds ignored police instructions and tried to get into safe areas and spots occupied by these collaborating within the Stand Up To Racism protest.
“When officers intervened to dam their path they had been assaulted with kicks and punches,” the Met mentioned – including that riot police, horses and canines had been used to maintain the opposing teams aside.
The Met additionally mentioned folks scaled fencing and scaffolding round Whitehall which put “themselves and others in peril”.
The Met Police estimated round 110,000 had been in Whitehall for the Tommy Robinson occasion and 5,000 for the counter-protest [PA Media]
At one level, a glass bottle appeared to smash in opposition to a horse, inflicting the animal and rider to stagger backwards.
Scuffles broke out as police used batons to try to push again Robinson supporters gathered on the highest of Whitehall and Trafalgar Sq..
Robinson, whose actual title is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, addressed the crowds on the “freedom of speech pageant” the place he criticised politicians for “parroting” his concepts.
He additionally claimed UK courts had determined the rights of undocumented migrants outmoded these of the “area people”.
Final month, the Courtroom of Attraction overturned an injunction blocking asylum seekers being housed at The Bell Resort in Epping, Essex.
Earlier, large crowds massed close to Waterloo Station with folks carrying and waving union flags and the St George cross [BBC]
Making a shock look by way of videolink, Musk spoke about “huge uncontrolled migration” and known as for a “change of presidency” within the UK.
“One thing’s acquired to be finished,” Musk mentioned, as he was interviewed by Robinson.
“There’s acquired to be a dissolution of Parliament and a brand new vote held.”
TV presenter Katie Hopkins additionally spoke on stage after earlier showing alongside Robinson, Laurence Fox and Ant Middleton on the entrance of the march close to Waterloo station.
[EPA]
Close by, on the Stand Up To Racism rally, impartial MP Diane Abbott informed demonstrators: “We all know racism and violence and fascism isn’t new.
“However you already know what? We’ve got at all times defeated that racism and violence.”
Robinson introduced his stage occasions to an in depth simply after 18:30 and promised one other such occasion.
The 42-year-old was launched from jail earlier this yr after being jailed in October for ignoring an order to not repeat false claims a couple of Syrian refugee, who had efficiently sued him for libel.
Counter protesters had been additionally set to march by central London, ending up close to Robinson’s demonstration [EPA]
Extra reporting by Daniel Sandford, Nick Johnson and Maia Davies.