British police are preparing one of their largest operations in recent memory as more than 100,000 protesters are expected to march through central London on Saturday, coinciding with the FA Cup final at Wembley. Officers in vast swathes of the capital will be granted extra stop-and-search powers to police the far-right Unite the Kingdom (UTK) march organised by Stephen Yaxley Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson, and a smaller pro-Palestine rally.
The last UTK march in September stunned organisers and police, with more than 150,000 people occupying Parliament Square. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has described the rise of the far right as “a fight for the soul of this country”. The Muslim Council of Britain warned Muslims to avoid central London, fearing the event could reach a similar size to last time.
The pro-Palestine rally is expected to draw between 15,000 and 40,000 participants, including anti-racism counter-protesters. Police will keep the two gatherings separated. The Metropolitan Police have deployed 4,000 officers, backed by armoured Sandcat vehicles and drones, with most resources focused on the UTK march.
The situation is complicated by the FA Cup final between Manchester City and Chelsea, kicking off at 3pm. The Met noted that football hooligans have previously supported Robinson, and social media has featured calls for them to join Saturday’s protest. Police will seek prosecutions not only for speakers inciting hatred but also for organisers on conspiracy grounds.
Speakers at the far-right rally include the mother of a woman killed by an asylum seeker and American conspiracy theorist Glenn Beck. An AI-generated promo video denounces Muslims and portrays Robinson adored by tens of thousands. Polling shows Robinson is known by over 80% of Britons, with 17% liking him. In a video on Friday, Robinson urged supporters to stay calm and “win by smiling at them”.
