‘Unite the Kingdom’: London anti-immigration rally draws 110,000; 26 cops injured in clashes

A rally in London organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson drew more than 110,000 people on Saturday, turning violent when some of his supporters clashed with police trying to keep them apart from counter-protesters.

Fringe demonstrators punched, kicked, and threw bottles at officers, prompting the Metropolitan Police to send reinforcements in helmets and riot gear to support the 1,000 officers already deployed.

According to police, the “Unite the Kingdom” march — led by Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon — drew between 110,000 and 150,000 people, far more than expected. Protesters waved England and UK flags as they marched through central London toward Whitehall, the district housing the prime minister’s office and government departments.

Violence left 26 officers injured, four seriously, with injuries including broken teeth, a concussion, a suspected broken nose, and a spinal injury. At least 25 arrests were made for violent disorder, assault, and criminal damage, with police warning more would follow.

“There is no doubt that many came to exercise their lawful right to protest, but there were many who came intent on violence,” said Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist. “They confronted officers, engaging in physical and verbal abuse and making a determined effort to breach cordons in place to keep everyone safe.”

A smaller counter-protest by the group Stand Up To Racism drew about 5,000 people at the opposite end of Whitehall.

Police later admitted they were caught off guard by the turnout, saying the rally was “too big to fit into Whitehall.” They condemned the “unacceptable violence” against officers, noting projectiles including bottles, flares, and other objects were thrown.

Robinson, who has multiple criminal convictions, claims to be a journalist exposing state wrongdoing. Reform UK, Britain’s leading anti-immigrant party in recent polls, distanced itself from him despite the rally’s scale.

Police said the investigation is ongoing. “We are identifying those who were involved in the disorder and they can expect to face robust police action in the coming days and weeks,” Assistant Commissioner Twist added.