As it happened: Tommy Robinson supporters hold London rally, as police deployed to keep them apart from counter-march
26 October 2024, 12:27 | Updated: 26 October 2024, 18:33
Thousands of Tommy Robinson supporters gathered for a protest in central London, with police deployed to keep them apart from an anti-racist counter demonstration.
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Many demonstrators were seen with Union and England flags, along with several Make America Great Again flags in support of Donald Trump.
An anti-racism demonstration is also taking place and police were seen struggling to keep the two groups apart at points.
Some right-wing demonstrators were seeng wearing "I am Peter Lynch" badges, in reference to a 61-year-old man who died in prison after being jailed for his involvement in a riot outside a hotel housing asylum seekers.
The statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square was barricaded off.
Robinson himself is not at the protest after being charged under the Terrorism Act on Friday.
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Read more: Tommy Robinson charged under the Terrorism Act after handing himself in to police
Robinson supporters are leaving Westminster
Tommy Robinson supporters are leaving Westminster as a demonstration nears its end.
Some demonstrators were wearing "Make Britain Great Again" hats and others carried signs that read "Pensioners before illegal immigrants".
Interim Ukip leader Nick Tenconi was among the speakers at the demonstration.
Protesters on right-wing march taking a break
Two arrests made at right-wing demonstration
Police said: "Two arrests have been made at the Uniting the Kingdom demonstration.
"One for a breach of the Public Order Act conditions in place and a breach of the peace, and one for a racially aggravated public order offence."
That comes on top of the two arrests made at the anti-racist protest.
Tommy Robinson displayed on big screen at rally
A video of Tommy Robinson has appeared on the big screen at the Uniting the Kingdom rally
Police say two arrests made near Stand Up To Racism protest after 'pushing and shoving'
Chris Kaba protesters say they want to remind Starmer of 'everybody's right to life'
The people protesting the death of Chris Kaba who delivered a hand-written note to Sir Keir Starmer said they want to remind the Prime Minister of "everybody's right to life".
Speaking outside Downing Street, Marcia Rigg, the sister of Sean Rigg, who died in police custody in 2008, said: "We are here to remind him now that he's the Prime Minister (that) everybody is entitled to their right to life no matter what.
"If there's a crime then they go to prison and serve their sentence. Not a death sentence. There is no justice."
Tommy Robinson supporter arrested
A Tommy Robinson supporter has been arrested, with images taken by LBC showing him being held down by police.
'Tense' mood as Tommy Robinson protesters and anti-racism crowd get close
The mood has become 'tense' according to LBC's reporter George Ellison, as two groups of opposing protesters came close.
The Stand Up To Racism protesters were trying to walk to St James' Park, and encountered a group of Tommy Robinson supporters.
Labour booed by Tommy Robinson protesters
The right-wing protesters have been watching speeches on a big screen.
When a video of Labour taking power on the big screen was shown, a chorus of boos rang out from the crowd.
Jeremy Corbyn speaks to LBC at anti-racism protest
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is at the anti-racism march, and told LBC's reporter George Ellison: "We've had 15 years of austerity, which has created poverty, unemployment, division and low wages. What we need is something different.
"The far right don't offer anything else than hatred of minorities.
"We rely on migrant workers to produce so much of our goods and our services, and we today, here, and thousands and thousands of others are saying we want to live in a united country."
