Robinson urged his supporters to ‘keep things safe and civil’
Protesters clash with Police officers during the “Unite The Kingdom” rally in Westminster(Image: Getty Images)
Scuffles have broken out between police and Tommy Robinson’s ‘Unite the Kingdom’ rally today in London (September 13) as some 110,000 people gather in the capital.
The Metropolitan Police have deployed some 1,600 officers in the city and formed a ‘sterile zone’ between Robinson’s nationalist protestors and counter-protests from Stand Up To Racism.
The separate marches were located on opposite sides of the Thames but converged on Whitehall, close to Downing Street and the Houses of Parliament.
Reports from PA described a tense scene as opposing protestors ‘stared each other down’ just metres apart.
It is at this sterile zone, manned by police with riot shields, that scuffles have broken out, with a ‘number of officers assaulted’ and projectiles thrown, according to the force.
In a post on X, the Met Police wrote: “A crowd of ‘Unite the Kingdom’ protesters attempted to enter the sterile area on Whitehall that is place to keep the two protests apart.
“Officers were attacked with projectiles and have had to use force to avoid their cordon being breached.”
After acknowledging a ‘very large turnout’ for the ‘Unite the Kingdom’ rally, they added in a later post: “Officers are having to intervene in multiple locations to stop Unite the Kingdom protesters trying to access sterile areas, breach police cordons or get to opposing groups.
“A number of officers have been assaulted.”
Attendees of Robinson’s rally far outnumber the group of counter-protestors, estimated to be around 5,000.
The ‘Unite the Kingdom’ rally (Image: PA)
Westminster Bridge and Whitehall are closed and police have asked counter-protestors to stay put on Whitehall as ‘Unite the Kingdom’ supporters have gathered on adjacent roads, PA reported.
Both protests have featured speakers to address the crowds. Independent MP Diane Abbott told counter-protestors the event showed ‘fascists cannot walk the streets of London unopposed’.
Meanwhile Robinson’s rally featured a number of right-wing commentators including Katie Hopkins and Laurence Fox.
“We understand peoples frustrations at not being able to get near the stage or the PA system,” Robinson wrote on X.
“We are asking all of you, everyone who is understandably frustrated, to please remain calm and peaceful. Let’s keep things safe and civil.”
Before the march, Robinson urged his supporters not to drink alcohol or wear face coverings, and cautioned against aggressive behaviour.