More than 110,000 people attended a far-right rally in London led 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," saw participants travelling from across the UK to Whitehall, where speakers amplified racist conspiracy theories and anti-Muslim hate speech.
The Metropolitan Police reported at least 25 arrests and 26 officers injured, four seriously, as clashes erupted between protesters and police. Officers faced "unacceptable violence," with bottles, flares, and other projectiles thrown. The scale of the protest vastly exceeded police estimates, leading to tense confrontations.
Elon Musk addressed the crowd via video link, speaking of "the rapidly increasing erosion of Britain" and calling for the dissolution of the UK parliament. French far-right politician Éric Zemmour told protesters they were subject to "the great replacement" and being "colonised by our former colonies."
The huge turnout forced Whitehall to close to marchers before speeches began, leaving thousands stuck on Westminster Bridge and in Parliament Square. Around 5,000 counter-protesters from trade unions and anti-fascist groups marched separately in central London.
Attendees expressed patriotic motives, with one woman from Merseyside saying she "had to be here today for our country" and denying the event was far-right, calling it a "patriotic visit." Another from south Wales said she wanted to "unite the kingdom" and felt the country was "so divided."
