Tommy Robinson’s Unite the Kingdom rally drew more than 100,000 supporters into central London on Saturday, in one of the largest far-right demonstrations seen in the UK in recent years. An estimated 5,000 counter-protesters, organised by Stand Up To Racism, gathered nearby.
The event, billed by Robinson as a unifying patriotic march, was marred by violence, extremist speeches, and heavy clashes with police. The Metropolitan Police confirmed 25 arrests and warned of further action, describing “unacceptable violence” from protesters who attacked officers with bottles, flares, sticks, wood and traffic cones.
The Metropolitan Police have said many of those who attended Tommy Robinson’s Unite the Kingdom rally in London on Saturday came with the deliberate intention of causing violence.
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist confirmed that 26 officers were injured in the disorder, with four seriously hurt. Injuries included broken teeth, a possible broken nose, concussion, a prolapsed disc and a head injury.
“There is no doubt that many came to exercise their lawful right to protest,” Twist said, “but there were many who came intent on violence. They confronted officers, engaging in physical and verbal abuse and making a determined effort to breach cordons in place to keep everyone safe.”
The Met said protesters assaulted officers with bottles, cans, flares and other projectiles after trying to break through cordons separating them from anti-fascist counter-demonstrators. Police horses and riot units were deployed as scuffles broke out in Whitehall and Trafalgar Square.
So far, 25 arrests have been made, but Twist confirmed more are expected. “Our post-event investigation has already begun – we are identifying those who were involved in the disorder and they can expect to face robust police action in the coming days and weeks,” he said.
Violent Clashes Across Whitehall
The most serious confrontations occurred in Whitehall and Trafalgar Square, where Robinson supporters repeatedly attempted to breach police cordons separating them from counter-protesters.
Cans, bottles and flares were thrown towards officers and counter-demonstrators. A glass bottle struck a police horse, causing the horse and rider to stagger. Several officers were assaulted with kicks and punches as they tried to push back the crowds.
At 5.25pm, police began moving Robinson supporters out of Whitehall towards Trafalgar Square and Northumberland Avenue. Objects including wood and a traffic cone were thrown at officers. Twenty minutes later, at 5.45pm, more than 100 helmeted officers, supported by mounted police, charged down Northumberland Avenue, forcing protesters towards Embankment station.
By early evening, the crowds had largely dispersed, though the Met warned that many more suspects had been identified and would face prosecution even if arrests could not be made on the day.
Elon Musk’s Intervention
One of the most high-profile moments of the rally came when Elon Musk joined by video call. The billionaire warned supporters that violence was unavoidable:
“You’re in a fundamental situation here. Whether you choose violence or not, violence is coming to you. You either fight back or you die, that’s the truth, I think.”
He described the left as “the party of murder,” citing the recent killing of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk in Utah, and accused the BBC of being “complicit in the destruction of Britain.” Musk also claimed people were “scared to exercise their free speech.”
Robinson praised Musk’s remarks, telling the crowd: “Not only are we in the fight right now, but we’re on the advance thanks to free speech being fought for, for us, by Elon Musk.”
Musk’s comments were sharply criticised by opponents as inflammatory, with HOPE not hate warning that the rhetoric risked escalating violence further.
Threats and Extremist Rhetoric
Nick Lowles, Chief Executive of HOPE not hate, said the day’s speeches were “extraordinarily extreme.” He highlighted one incident in which a man directly threatened Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, saying: “Keir Starmer needs to be assassinated. Someone needs to shoot Keir Starmer.”
Another speaker, Brian Tamaki, called for the banning of non-Christian religious practices and institutions, telling supporters: “Ban any type of public expression in our Christian nation from other religions. Ban Halal, ban Burquas. Ban mosques, ban temples, ban shrines — we don’t want those in our countries.”
Counter-protesters gathered in Russell Square before marching to Whitehall, chanting “fascist scum” as they confronted Robinson supporters across police lines. Stewards urged calm and tried to organise safe exits after Robinson’s supporters blocked adjoining roads.
Political Response
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned the violence. Writing on X, she said: “The right to peaceful protest is fundamental to this nation. I thank the police who worked hard to ensure much of today’s protest was peaceful. But I condemn those who have attacked and injured police officers. Anyone taking part in criminal activity will face the full force of the law.”
The Met confirmed that “a number of officers” were injured, though no serious injuries were reported.
Robinson’s Closing Remarks
Robinson closed the rally apologising to several speakers who did not have time to address the crowd, including former Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen.
“We’re going to have to come back and finish this off,” he said, promising another rally in the future. He urged supporters to disperse calmly and “thank police on your way out.”
At its peak, 2.9 million people watched the rally’s livestream on Robinson’s X account, underlining the scale of online interest.