London protests: Musk’s speech at Tommy Robinson march denounced as ‘disgusting’

Sir Keir Starmer says the country should never surrender its flag to become symbol of “violence, fear and division” following a huge protest organised by Tommy Robinson, as the backlash grows over Elon Musk’s remarks at the rally.

The demonstration, organised under the banner “Unite the Kingdom”, saw Whitehall filled with union flags and St George’s flags as the tens of thousands of protesters listened to speakers, including Mr Musk, who appeared on screens through a video link.

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The Met has said it is also investigating a video circulated on social media which appeared to show a protester saying: “Someone needs to shoot Keir Starmer.”

“We’re aware of a video circulating on social media from the ‘Unite the Kingdom’ protest on Saturday 13 September in central London,” a spokesperson said.

“Officers are investigating and inquiries are ongoing to identify a man.

“No arrests have been made so far.”

Sir Keir Starmer has rejected the country’s flag being used as a symbol of “violence, fear and division” following Saturday’s “Unite The Kingdom” protest led by Tommy Robinson.

He also stated the Government “will not stand” for assaults on police officers, after 26 were injured, four seriously, at the far-right activist’s London event.

The demonstration attracted between 110,000 and 150,000 people, significantly exceeding organiser estimates, with around 5,000 “anti-racism” campaigners mounting a counter-protest.

An under siege Keir Starmer is facing a showdown with Donald Trump over “free speech” in the UK which could derail crucial talks during the US president’s state visit.

The issue could derail hopes by the UK government to get a deal to remove steel tariffs and will take up time they want to use to discuss the increasingly complex picture on the international stage with the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

The Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:

He was already subject to a suspended sentence for committing contempt during a rape trial in Canterbury the year before.

Three years later, as The Independent investigated reports he misused donors’ cash, he shouted abuse at the home of the journalist involved, defamed her partner and threatened to return. Convicted of stalking, he was banned from contacting them for five years.

Amid the far-right riots in summer 2024, Robinson organised what he claimed would be the “biggest patriotic rally the UK has ever seen”. Thousands of Robinson’s supporters gathered in central London for the counter-protest to a Stand Up To Racism march.

But Robinson missed his own event after being arrested in July 2024 under anti-terror laws over allegations he breached a 2021 High Court order. The order banned Robinson from repeating libellous allegations he made against Syrian refugee Jamal Hijazi.

Robinson was later jailed for 18 months in October 2024. In April 2025, Tommy Robinson lost an appeal to reduce his jail term over claims prison segregation was “making him ill”.

However, he was released in May 2025, after his sentence was reduced by four months at the High Court.

The prime minister has said he “will not stand” for violence against police or for people feeling “intimidated on our streets” after yesterday’s march.

Sir Keir Starmer said that he will “never surrender” the use of the British flag to be used as a “symbol of violence, fear and division”.

He wrote on X: “People have a right to peaceful protest. It is core to our country’s values.

“But we will not stand for assaults on police officers doing their job or for people feeling intimidated on our streets because of their background or the colour of their skin.

“Britain is a nation proudly built on tolerance, diversity and respect.

“Our flag represents our diverse country and we will never surrender it to those that use it as a symbol of violence, fear and division.”

The Tommy Robinson protest is “one of the biggest far right marches in British history” and “an urgent wake-up call for us all”, according to the antiracist group Stand Up to Racism.

Police estimates suggest the protest gathered over 100,000 people.

This is “the biggest number of people” Tommy Robinson has mobilised, “and goes beyond his usual base,” the group warned.

“We need far bigger numbers. We need hundreds of thousands,” the group said, calling for “campaigners, trade unionists, politicians, faith groups and others” to come together to build the unity needed to “stop the far right on the streets and at the ballot box”.

Keir Starmer was spotted at the Emirates Stadium in London on Saturday, as violent clashes broke out between police and demonstrators in the centre of the city.

The prime minister and his son were seen in the stands watching his favourite football team Arsenal play against Nottingham Forest in a Premier League match.