More than 110,000 people took part in a far-right protest organised by Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson, in what is believed to be the largest nationalist event in decades. The march, billed as a 'festival of free speech', ended with racist conspiracy theories and anti-Muslim hate speech being amplified across Whitehall.
The Metropolitan Police reported at least 25 arrests and 26 officers injured, four seriously. Officers faced 'unacceptable violence' including kicks, punches, bottles, flares and other projectiles. The scale of the protest vastly exceeded police estimates, leading to tense clashes.
Elon Musk addressed the crowd via video link, speaking of 'the rapidly increasing erosion of Britain' and calling for the dissolution of Parliament. French far-right politician Éric Zemmour told protesters they were subject to 'the great replacement of our European people by peoples coming from the south and of Muslim culture'.
The huge turnout meant attendees could not be contained within Whitehall, the rally endpoint. About 5,000 counter-protesters from trade unions and anti-fascist groups marched separately. The crowd, largely white, sang and chanted slogans including 'Keir Starmer's a wanker' and 'Whose street? Our street'.
Stalls sold books co-authored by Robinson, and attendees expressed support for his cause. One woman from Merseyside said she was 'British through and through' and wanted 'our country back'. Another from south Wales said the kingdom needed to unite.
