Clashes erupt in London as far-right rally draws up to 150,000 protesters

Clashes broke out in London on Saturday after one of the largest far-right demonstrations in British history, led by activist Tommy Robinson, drew an estimated 110,000 to 150,000 people.

Police made 25 arrests and said 26 officers were injured, four seriously, amid “unacceptable violence” on the fringes of the rally.

Many attendees, draped in English and British flags, confronted officers as they tried to push into restricted zones near counter-protesters. Around 5,000 people joined a nearby Stand Up to Racism march, with 1,000 police deployed to keep the groups apart.

“There is no doubt that many came to exercise their lawful right to protest, but there were many who came intent on violence,” said Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist. Injuries to police included broken teeth, a suspected broken nose, concussion and a prolapsed disc.

Interior minister Shabana Mahmood condemned the violence, vowing that “anyone taking part in criminal activity will face the full force of the law.”

The protest, billed by Robinson as a “free speech festival” under the slogan “Unite the Kingdom,” saw participants march across Westminster Bridge before rallying near Downing Street. Speakers included Robinson, French far-right leader Eric Zemmour, AfD politician Petr Bystron and Elon Musk, who appeared by video link.

Anti-racism groups warned the event marked an unprecedented mobilisation of the far right in Britain. Joe Mulhall of Hope Not Hate described it as “probably the largest far-right demonstration ever in Britain.”

The rally unfolded against a backdrop of rising anti-immigration sentiment, fuelled by protests against asylum seeker housing and the growing popularity of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party.