Clashes Erupt as 150,000 Join Far-Right Rally in London

Clashes Erupt as 150,000 Join Far-Right Rally in London

Clashes erupted in London on Saturday after up to 150,000 people joined one of the largest far-right rallies ever held in Britain, organised by activist Tommy Robinson. Police arrested 25 people after several hours of unrest.

The Metropolitan Police said 26 officers were injured, four seriously, while attempting to control the crowds, many of whom carried English and British flags. The violence began when some protesters tried to enter restricted areas near counter-demonstrators.

Around 5,000 people took part in a Stand Up to Racism march nearby, with 1,000 officers deployed to keep the groups apart. Police said while many exercised their right to protest peacefully, others came “intent on violence.”

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned the assaults on police and vowed that “anyone taking part in criminal activity will face the full force of the law.”

Robinson’s “Unite the Kingdom” event saw marchers cross Westminster Bridge before rallying near Downing Street, where far-right figures from Europe and North America addressed the crowds. Speakers included French politician Eric Zemmour, Germany’s AfD MP Petr Bystron, and billionaire Elon Musk, who appeared via video-link.

Anti-racism charity Hope Not Hate said the turnout was likely the largest far-right gathering in British history. Experts warned it highlighted growing far-right mobilisation amid rising anti-immigration sentiment, fuelled by protests against housing asylum seekers and the popularity of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.

At the counter-rally, Labour MP Diane Abbott urged solidarity with migrants, accusing Robinson and his allies of spreading “dangerous lies.” Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey denounced the violence, saying: “These far-right thugs do not speak for Britain.”