At least 25 people were arrested and 26 police officers were injured – including four who were seriously hurt – at Tommy Robinson’s “Unite the Kingdom” protest.

The Metropolitan Police said that as of 7.30pm, 25 people had been arrested for offences including affray, violent disorder, assaults and criminal damage but described this as “just the start”.

In a statement, Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said: “Officers went into today’s operation knowing it would be busy and potentially challenging. They policed without fear or favour and approached engagement with all protesters positively.

“There is no doubt that many came to exercise their lawful right to protest, 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 violence they faced was wholly unacceptable. 26 officers were injured, including four seriously – among them broken teeth, a possible broken nose, a concussion, a prolapsed disc and a head injury.

“The 25 arrests we have made so far is just the start. 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.

“I am hugely grateful to the officers who were deployed in central London today, to those on duty in all 32 boroughs responding to 999 calls and to the more than 500 colleagues from forces across England and Wales who stood alongside us in some very challenging circumstances.”

Scotland Yard estimated between 110,000 and 150,000 people attended the event.

Elon Musk called for a change of Government in the UK and railed against the “woke mind virus” as he spoke at Tommy Robinson’s rally in London.

The X owner claimed a “dissolution of Parliament” is needed and said “massive uncontrolled migration” was contributing to the “destruction of Britain” in comments via video link.

He also told the crowd that “violence is coming” and that “you either fight back or you die”.

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey criticised the appearance, saying the UK’s democracy is “too precious to be a plaything for foreign tech barons”.

The Tesla boss has waded into British politics before, notably when he started a war of words with the UK Government over the grooming gangs scandal.

He has also criticised the UK’s Online Safety Act, calling the legislation a threat to free speech.

The Home Secretary has condemned protesters who have attacked and injured police officers at a “freedom of speech festival” led by far-right activist Tommy Robinson.

Shabana Mahmood posted on X: “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.”

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey has blasted Elon Musk for his comments at today’s rally in which he called for the dissolution of parliament.

Sir Ed posted on X: “Our democracy is too precious to be a plaything for foreign tech barons.

“Elon Musk doesn’t care about the British people or our rights. He only cares about himself and his ego.”

A group of Tommy Robinson supporters who had blocked counter-protesters from leaving Whitehall have been moved, the Metropolitan Police said.

In a statement on social media, Scotland Yard said: “Officers have cleared the group of Unite the Kingdom protesters who had blocked the north end of Whitehall, creating a safe route for the Stand Up To Racism protesters to leave Whitehall.

“The northern end of Whitehall is now empty.”

The “Unite the Kingdom” rally has overrun the 6pm cut off time imposed by police under the Public Order Act, while the Stand Up To Racism counter protest had been due to finish at 4pm.

The singer of indie band James says the group is examining their options after their smash hit Sit Down was used in a video posted by Tommy Robinson, highlighting the size of the protest.

He wrote on X: “Disgusted to see the cynical use of ‘Sit Down’ by @TRobinsonNewEra

“No permission was granted, and we are looking into our options.

“The song and most of our topical lyrics, make it very clear where we stand, and it’s the antithesis of this organization.”

Police have pushed protesters away from Trafalgar Square after officers were pelted with missiles and subjected to aggression.

Protesters could be heard chanting in support of Tommy Robinson as they attacked police officers.

Our reporter at the scene says that Unite the Kingdom protesters have been seen running in different directions in an attempt to get past police lines and access the counter protest being held adjacent.

More than a hundred helmeted officers on foot, backed up by dozens of police horses, have rushed at Tommy Robinson supporters – backing them along Northumberland Avenue and towards Embankment station.

The horses moved at speed down the road at around 5.45pm.

Some protesters – now largely dispersed – faced them carrying flags.

Police officers are pushing protesters back from Trafalgar Square towards Embankment Tube station as they continue to be pelted by cones, bottles and other projectiles.

Our reporter at the scene reports that the atmosphere remains “tense” as police and protesters continue to clash.

Nine people have been arrested after police officers were faced with “unacceptable violence” the Metropolitan Police said.

The Metropolitan Police said it estimated around 110,000 were in Whitehall for the Robinson event and 5,000 for the counter protest.

The force, which was attempting to keep the two groups apart, said: “Officers are having to intervene in multiple locations to stop Unite the Kingdom protesters trying to access sterile areas, breach police cordons or get to opposing groups.

“A number of officers have been assaulted.”

It added: “We continue to see significant aggression directed at officers by Unite the Kingdom protesters.

“We have deployed additional officers with protective equipment in multiple locations, supported by police horses, to deal with the disorder.”

Police have been seen with their batons drawn as they continue to try and push back thousands of Tommy Robinson supporters gathered on the top of Whitehall and Trafalgar Square.

Beer cans were thrown and an officer was seen trying to stamp out a flare in the metres-wide gap between the two protest groups on Whitehall.

Pro-Robinson demonstrators repeatedly clashed with police during the efforts to move them away from the Stand Up to Racism crowd.

A protester has been pictured with injuries to his head and face after the Metropolitan Police confirmed that officers had been forced to deal with violent outbreaks

Independent MP Diane Abbott has told a crowd of anti-fascist protesters that Tommy Robinson’s allies “are some of the most anti-women forces in society”.

She said: “They are trying to drag women into their project, they are claiming that they are protecting women, but they are some of the most anti-women forces in society – they oppose equal pay, they oppose action against discrimination, they belittle sexual harassment as banter.

“So we are here to stand together, we are here to fight, and we are here in the certainty that we will defeat the fascists.”

The march shows “fascists cannot walk the streets of London unopposed”, she told the crowd from the stage on Whitehall.

“We know racism and violence and fascism is not new”, she said, adding: “But you know what? We have always defeated that racism and violence.”

The Met Police have released a video of Unite the Kingdom protesters clashing with officers.

Footage online shows Tommy Robinson supporters clashing with anti-racisim protesters near Trafalgar Square.

The Met Police have confirmed that there have beens several outbreaks of violence, with officers attacked by supporters of the far-right activist.

Stand Up to Racism protesters are shouting “fascist scum”, metres from a group of Tommy Robinson protesters who are behind police carrying riot shields.

The Robinson protesters are at the edge of Horse Guards Avenue while the anti-fascist protesters are gathered on Whitehall. The two streets are perpendicular.

The Robinson protesters waved Union flags and a metres-wide St George’s flag that said “stop the boats”. They could be seen shouting at the line of officers and towards the anti-fascist crowd.

Tommy Robinson urged his followers to remain calm because of frustration from protesters not able to get close enough to the stage and hear the speeches being made.

He said on X: “We understand peoples frustrations at not being able to get near the stage or the PA system.

“We are asking all of you, everyone who is understandably frustrated, to please remain calm and peaceful.

“Let’s keep things safe and civil.”

Tommy Robinson protesters have attacked police officers, the Metropolitan Police said.

It said on X: “A crowd of ‘Unite the Kingdom’ protesters attempted to enter the sterile area on Whitehall that is [in] place to keep the two protests apart.

“Officers were attacked with projectiles and have had to use force to avoid their cordon being breached.”

Large crowds have also been pictured in Trafalgar Squre, with one man pictured on one of the lions next to Nelson’s Column.

Speeches are underway at the Unite the Kingdom rally, with Katie Hopkins and Ant Middleton on the bill.

Speaking to Sky News, former police officer Graham Wettone, now the broadcaster’s police commentator, said: “I’ve never seen a crowd like this for the right wing.

“That’s north of three figures, I would say. That’s in excess of 100,000.”

People could be seen displaying a variety of messages on flags and placards on London’s south bank at the Unite the Kingdom protest meet point.

Some waved England flags with the words “stop the boats”, “Charlie Kirk RIP” and “enough is enough, save our children”.

Several US and Israeli flags could also be spotted among the crowd which had gathered on and around Stamford Street.

No arrests have been reported yet so far at either event. It is currently raining heavily in London.

London’s transport network is running as normal at the moment and crowds are being managed, Transport for London has said.

There are nevertheless bus diversions and road closures around the Westminster area.

For full details, visit Keeping London moving – Transport for London

Several thousand people taking part in the Stand Up To Racism march have set off from Russell Square, also in the direction of Whitehall.

Tommy Robinson said the “revolution is on” in a video posted to X where he claimed his Unite the Kingdom protest was the largest demonstration in British history.

The far-right activist told his followers that London was full of “patriots” before saying “the spark has started, the revolution is on”.

There are more than 400,000 people watching Robinson’s live stream on X as they chanted his name and “Keir Starmer is a wanker”.

A presenter on the stream said Robinson is “on his way” to the protesters now.

Large crowds gathering in Stamford Street are now marching towards their rally in Whitehall.

Thousands chanted anti-Keir Starmer chants as the demonstration got underway.

The Met Police, posting on X, said: “The ‘Unite the Kingdom’ march has set off from Stamford Street towards Whitehall.

The front of the march is currently on York Road heading towards Westminster Bridge. There have been no incidents of note so far.’

Tommy Robinson posted a video on X titled “the A team”, featuring Ant Middleton, former Apprentice contestant Katie Hopkins, and an AfD MEP among others.

The group of right-wing personalities were filmed laughing and chatting together around a table.

They were gathered in anticipation of Mr Robinson’s march to Whitehall.

Left-wing MP Diane Abbott, speaking in Russell Square, has branded participants in the Unite the Kingdom protest racist as she rejected their claim that they were marching to protect women and girls.

The MP for Hackney South told Sky News: “We need to show that we are united.

They are talkign nonsense. It is a dangerous lie to try and say that men of colour are a threat to women. It is a danfgeorus lie and we need to squash it.

“My message to the govenment is they want to keep people safe and we need to be clear that these demonstrations around hotels are racist demonstrations.”

Posting on X, the Met Police said: “The Stand Up To Racism protest is forming up at Russell Square ahead of an anticipated 1pm set off time.”

Two major demonstrations are set to take place in central London under heavy police presence on Saturday.

Tommy Robinson’s Unite the Kingdom march is assembling from 11am on Stamford Street, move along York Road, cross Westminster Bridge, and finish with a rally at the southern end of Whitehall.

At midday, Stand Up To Racism’s counter-protest will gather in Russell Square before marching via Kingsway, Aldwych, and the Strand to the northern end of Whitehall for their rally.

Barriers and a sterile zone will separate the two groups to reduce the risk of clashes.

Both events are subject to strict Public Order Act conditions, with Robinson’s rally ending by 6pm and the counter-protest finishing by 4pm.

Aerial footage has shown the size of the crowd gathering in Stamford Street prior to the Unite the Kingdom march.

Unofficial estimates put the size at 50,000 just before 10am, with expectations that the rally could eventually exceed 150,000.

Helicopters are audible overhead, as is Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline.

More than a hundred people have gathered outside Russell Square before the March Against Fascism counter-protest against far-right activist Tommy Robinson’s Unite the Kingdom rally, both of which are being held in central London on Saturday.

People milled around with placards that said “refugees welcome” and “oppose Tommy Robinson”, and chants of “say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here” started at around 11.20am.

Meanwhile men carrying Union and St George’s cross flags were seen sitting outside central London pubs, while others carrying tins of alcohol walked towards the start point of Robinson’s march which will begin near Waterloo Bridge.

Eight police vans – from Warwickshire Police, West Midlands Police and the Metropolitan Police – lined Woburn Street which runs alongside the square.

So far crowds in Russell Square appear smaller than those in Stamford Street.

A Met Police post on X has warned: “Due to crowds gathering for the ‘Unite the Kingdom’ protest, Blackfriars Bridge and the area immediately to the south are very busy.

“While officers are keeping roads as clear as possible, there will be delays to traffic including buses.”

Tommy Robinson, born Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is a British political activist and founder of the English Defence League (EDL).

He first gained notoriety for organising street protests against what he claimed were Islamist extremism threats in the UK.

Mr Robinson has been convicted multiple times for offences including fraud, assault, and contempt of court.

His activism and social media presence have made him a polarising figure, with supporters calling him a free speech campaigner and critics labeling him a hate-monger.

Over the years, he has become a symbol of Britain’s culture wars, frequently appearing in media debates and online campaigns.

Chants of “send them back” are clearly audible during one live stream.

Stand Up To Racism has shared details of its march in the Capital via X.

Protesters will gather in Russell Square and 12noon, and march to Whitehall.

Mutiple Union flags and novelty suits are on display among crowds gathering in Stamford Street.

Unconfirmed estimates put the size of the crowd at 50,000 and growing.

Crowds gathering for the march cheered as a large picture of murdered right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk was paraded along Stamford Street.

Mr Kirk was shot dead on Wednesday during a rally in Utah.

Police are not using live facial recognition in its policing of the “Unite the Kingdom” demonstration which is beginning on London’s south bank.

It said: “We’re using a mobile CCTV van to help monitor the build up of crowds. Officers have been asked if it’s using ‘live facial recognition’ – we can confirm it is not.”

The live facial recognition technology – which captures people’s faces in real-time CCTV cameras – was used in the policing operation at the Notting Hill Carnival.

Tommy Robinson has called on attendees of his rally to not wear masks, drink alcohol or be violent.

In a video on X he said: “It’s not a time for riots. It’s not a time for violence. It’s a time where you come and you stand proudly for your country.”

He added: “This is an imperative message and an important message: we have to control ourselves.”

GB News has claimed 50,000 people have mustered, with the march not scheduled to get underway until 1pm.

Footage shared on X shows large crowds already gathering in Stamford Street in central London. Chants of “Tommy Robinson” and “Keir Starmer’s a w*****” can be heard along with loud car horns.

The actual march is expected to get underway at 1pm.

Former Labour MP Diane Abbott, who now sits as an independent, told The Guardian: “The far right are a menace to the whole of society. Their first targets, asylum seekers and Muslims, are broadening to all migrants, black people and on to trade unionists, all religious minorities and anti-racists.”

Stand Up to Racism’s March Against Fascism will assemble in Russell Square – an hour after the Unite the Kingdom rally is due to gather.

A description of the event on X declared: “Tommy Robinson’s festival of hate will feature a rogue’s gallery of Steve Bannon, Katie Hopkins, Jordan Peterson…”

The Metropolitan Police Federation has raised concerns about the toll of repeated major protest deployments.

Chairwoman Paula Dodds said officers regularly have leave cancelled and work extended shifts.

She said: “Our colleagues have and continue to lose time with their families, friends and loved ones because they have been pulled into London to police protests.”

Ms Dodds added that there are no “extra” officers, only the same workforce facing rising demand.

She warned the current tempo is “not sustainable” and noted officers have been assaulted during previous operations.

Police chiefs said Saturday would be one of the busiest operational days of the year with protests, football, concerts and other events.

Commander Clair Haynes said: “The Met is used to delivering the sort of complex and large-scale policing operation that is required to keep the public safe, and we have a detailed plan to do so on Saturday.”

She added that officers would police “without fear or favour” but would act robustly against hate crime or disorder.

The Met said it had worked closely with organisers, local businesses and community representatives in advance. Protesters were urged to show consideration for the communities they pass through.

Scotland Yard will impose restrictions under the Public Order Act on where and when campaigners can protest.

A “sterile area” will be created between the two demonstrations to minimise the risk of disorder.

Barriers and large numbers of officers will be deployed to keep groups separate and maintain public safety.

Five Premier League fixtures, including two London derbies, will also be policed on the same day.

Tommy Robinson, fresh from prison in May 2025, announced the Unite the Kingdom rally as a “free speech festival” to be held today at 11am, starting at Stamford Street, Southwark, and marching to Whitehall, expecting thousands to join.

The event, sparked by Mr Robinson’s release and his call to “unite patriots” against perceived censorship, gained traction online, with claims of international support and $20,000 raised via cryptocurrency for logistics.

The Metropolitan Police, deploying 1,600 officers, will enforce barriers to separate the groups amid fears of clashes.

Police fear the rally risks escalating tensions in a polarised capital.

Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) will stage a counter-march against the Robinson rally under the banner March Against Fascism.

Demonstrators will assemble at Russell Square from midday before marching through central London to Whitehall.

SUTR said the protest will be led by hundreds of women, including independent MP Diane Abbott.

National organiser Samira Ali said: “Our demonstration will be sending a message loud and clear: we are united against the far right threat.” She added: “Women don’t need the far right to keep us safe.”

The Metropolitan Police has appealed to Muslim Londoners not to change their plans in the capital during Saturday’s Unite the Kingdom rally.

Commander Clair Haynes said there were “particular concerns” given previous anti-Muslim incidents linked to some Robinson supporters.

She said: “That is not our advice. Everyone should be able to feel safe travelling into and around London.”

Officers will be on patrol to provide reassurance and respond to concerns.

Large crowds gathered in Whitehall on Friday night for a vigil in memory of Charlie Kirk, the day before Saturday’s Unite the Kingdom rally in London.

Thousands of people are expected to descend on central London on Saturday for rival demonstrations. Tommy Robinson’s “Unite the Kingdom” march will move from Stamford Street to Whitehall, featuring speeches promised from Jordan Peterson and Katie Hopkins, with the assassination of Charlie Kirk in the US certain to be discussed prominently.

At the same time, Stand Up To Racism’s “March Against Fascism” will set off from Russell Square, led by women including independent MP Diane Abbott. Scotland Yard said barriers and a “sterile area” will keep the groups apart, with 1,000 officers dedicated to the protests and more than 1,600 on duty across the city. Commander Clair Haynes stressed police will act “without fear or favour” and urged Londoners to continue with their normal plans. Officers will also oversee a packed weekend of football matches, concerts and events across the capital.

We’ll be providing regular updates on a day of high-visibility policing for the capital.