Tens of thousands descend on London for rival protests

Tens of thousands of protesters have descended on London for two rival marches – the Unite the Kingdom rally, organised by far-right figure Tommy Robinson, and a pro-Palestinian demonstration.

More than 4,000 police officers have been deployed to the capital, and they are managing a so-called “sterile zone” between the two marches. Officers are also using drones, police horses and dogs, and have armoured vehicles on standby.

The Metropolitan Police has called it one of the most significant policing operations in years.

In addition to the protests, tens of thousands of football fans are heading to Wembley Stadium for the FA Cup Final on Saturday afternoon.

Protesters attending the Unite the Kingdom march gathered in Kingsway, before heading to Whitehall and a rally in Parliament Square.

Many could be seen waving Union flags, and chants of “we want Starmer out” could be heard.

Protesters could be seen wearing “Make England Great Again (Mega)” red hats, with others draped in Union flags.

Reporting from the scene, BBC correspondent Tom Symonds said people there had a wide range of views – including those who want to see the end of the current government, and others who feel that white people, in particular white working class people, are being discriminated against in the UK today.

The separate pro-Palestinian march, marking Nakba Day, started in Kensington, before heading to Waterloo Place via Piccadilly.

Nakba Day refers to the displacement of Palestinians who fled or were driven from their homes during the war surrounding Israel’s creation in 1948-49.

Flags and signs reading slogans including “smash the far right” and “Free Palestinian Hostages” could be seen amongst those gathered, many of whom were wearing keffiyehs, seen as a symbol of solidarity with Palestinians.

Ahead of the marches, Met Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman said the policing operation would cost the force £4.5m.

The Met said the risks meant it had to impose the “highest degree of control”, including the first use of live facial recognition cameras as part of a protest policing operation.

Live facial recognition is being used at Euston and King’s Cross St Pancras railway stations, where people attending the Unite the Kingdom march are likely to arrive.

The Met said officers had arrested two men near Euston station. They were wanted on suspicion of GBH following an incident in Birmingham, and were spotted arriving in London to attend the Unite the Kingdom rally.

The force said that as of 13:00 BST there had been 11 arrests, although the offences and connection to which march were not specified.

There are strict controls on where the marches can go and and what time they must finish.

Drones are being used to monitor both protest routes, while officers in Wembley will also monitor CCTV feeds from the FA Cup final to identify supporters travelling towards demonstrations.

Eleven foreign “far-right agitators” were blocked from entering the country to attend the Unite the Kingdom event, the government said on Friday.

Among the 11 blocked from entering the UK is the US-based, anti-Islam influencer Valentina Gomez, who attended the first Unite the Kingdom march last September.

In a statement on Friday, Sir Keir Starmer said: “We’re in a fight for the soul of this country, and the Unite the Kingdom march this weekend is a stark reminder of exactly what we are up against.

“Its organisers are peddling hatred and division, plain and simple. We will block those coming into the UK who seek to incite hatred and violence.