Police made 43 arrests during two separate protests in London on Saturday: a far-right rally led by Tommy Robinson, also known as Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, and a pro-Palestinian march. The Metropolitan Police reported that 20 arrests were linked to the 'unite the kingdom' (UTK) rally, including nine for alleged hate crimes. Twelve people were detained at the pro-Palestinian march, two for alleged hate crimes, while 11 arrests were unrelated to either event.
The UTK rally drew an estimated 60,000 attendees, far fewer than the million organisers had hoped for and significantly less than the 150,000 who attended a similar march in September 2024. Robinson denied the movement was far-right, describing it as a 'cultural movement,' and emphasised Christian themes, including leading the crowd in the Lord's Prayer. However, anti-racism group Hope Not Hate suggested the religious focus may have deterred some supporters, with many in the crowd reportedly unimpressed.
Among the hate crime arrests at the UTK rally, officers were allegedly subjected to racial and homophobic abuse. One minority-ethnic officer was told to 'fuck off back home,' two were targeted with homophobic slurs, and another was told 'take your religion and fuck off.' Two suspects already in custody allegedly used the N-word. A man was arrested for actual bodily harm after punching a pro-Palestinian protester on a coach. Three people were held for displaying placards with slogans including 'fuck Islam' and 'Christ is king, fuck Islam.' A woman was arrested near Whitehall for allegedly carrying a metre-long sword.
The pro-Palestinian march, estimated at 15,000–20,000 by police but claimed to be 250,000 by organisers, saw one arrest for a sign reading 'Globalise the intifada,' which police allege is a call for violence against Jews. Another was arrested for supporting the proscribed group Palestine Action, and a third for a sign reading 'We will not surrender, victory or martyrdom.' Police are reviewing seven videos of slogans and chants for potential anti-Jewish hate speech.
Despite the arrests, the Met said both events passed without significant incidents, with five officers allegedly assaulted but none requiring hospital treatment. The UTK rally involved less hostility than the September event, where over 20 officers were assaulted. Separately, 22 arrests were made at the FA Cup final at Wembley.
