More than 110,000 people joined a far-right protest in London organised by Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson, leading to violent clashes with police. The Metropolitan Police reported at least 25 arrests and 26 officers injured, four seriously. Officers faced assaults including kicks, punches, and projectiles such as bottles and flares.
The rally, billed as a 'festival of free speech', featured video remarks from Elon Musk, who called for the dissolution of the UK parliament, and French far-right politician Éric Zemmour, who promoted the 'great replacement' conspiracy theory. The crowd, largely white, waved Union Jack and St George flags and chanted slogans including 'Tommy' and 'England'.
The scale of the protest vastly exceeded police estimates, causing Whitehall to become so crowded it was closed to marchers before speakers began. Thousands were left stranded on Westminster Bridge and in Parliament Square. About 5,000 counter-protesters from trade unions and anti-fascist groups marched separately.
Attendees travelled from across the UK, including a woman from Merseyside who said she was 'British through and through' and a man from south Wales who said the country was 'so divided'. Some denied the event was far-right, describing it as a 'patriotic visit'. Stalls sold books co-authored by Robinson, including 'Mohammed's Koran: Why Muslims Kill for Islam'.
