Dozens of officers injured as as much as 150,000 be a part of Tommy Robinson rally

Twenty-six officers have been injured whereas policing a protest organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, which noticed as much as 150,000 folks march via central London.

Tensions flared on the Unite the Kingdom rally, with some protesters throwing bottles and different projectiles at police, the Metropolitan Police mentioned – leaving 4 critically harm.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk spoke to protesters on Whitehall through videolink, whereas 5,000 folks joined a close-by counter-protest organised by Stand Up To Racism.

The Met mentioned 25 folks had been arrested for a variety of offences in what it described as “wholly unacceptable” violence.

An enormous policing operation was put in place in central London with the Met deploying 1,000 officers and drafting in an additional 500 from different forces together with Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, and Devon and Cornwall.

Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist mentioned officers had “policed with out worry or favour”, understanding it might be difficult.

“There isn’t a doubt that many got here to train their lawful proper to protest, however there have been many who got here intent on violence,” he mentioned.

Assistant Commissioner Twist mentioned officers had suffered damaged tooth, concussion, a prolapsed disc, a head harm and a doable damaged nostril.

“The 25 arrests we’ve made to date is simply the beginning,” he added because the Met vowed to determine these concerned in dysfunction.

Residence Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned “those that have attacked and injured cops”.

“Anybody participating in legal exercise will face the complete drive of the regulation,” she added.

Round mid-afternoon, the 2 demonstrations had been divided on Whitehall by strains of cops.

Whereas the rally started largely peacefully, the Met mentioned some officers had been attacked whereas attempting to maintain the 2 teams aside.

The Unite the Kingdom protest had “exceeded the estimates of organisers”, the drive mentioned, which meant there was not sufficient area for all of them in Whitehall and Parliament Sq..

Giant crowds ignored police instructions and tried to get into safe areas and spots occupied by these taking part within the Stand Up To Racism protest.

“When officers intervened to dam their path they had been assaulted with kicks and punches,” the Met mentioned, including that riot police, horses and canines had been used to maintain the opposing teams aside.

Folks scaled fencing and scaffolding round Whitehall which put “themselves and others in peril”, the Met added.

At one level, a glass bottle appeared to smash in opposition to a horse, inflicting the animal and rider to stagger backwards.

Scuffles broke out as police used batons to attempt to push again Robinson supporters gathered on the highest of Whitehall and Trafalgar Sq..

Robinson, whose actual identify is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, addressed the crowds on the “freedom of speech pageant” the place he criticised politicians for “parroting” his concepts.

He additionally claimed UK courts had determined the rights of undocumented migrants outmoded these of the “local people”.

Final month, the Courtroom of Enchantment overturned an injunction blocking asylum seekers being housed at The Bell Resort in Epping, Essex.

Making a shock look through videolink, Musk spoke about “large uncontrolled migration” and referred to as for a “change of presidency” within the UK.

“One thing’s acquired to be accomplished,” Musk mentioned, as he was interviewed by Robinson.

“There’s acquired to be a dissolution of Parliament and a brand new vote held.”

TV presenter Katie Hopkins additionally spoke on stage after earlier showing alongside Robinson, Laurence Fox and Ant Middleton on the entrance of the march close to Waterloo station.

Close by, on the Stand Up To Racism rally, unbiased MP Diane Abbott advised demonstrators: “We all know racism and violence and fascism is just not new.

“However you recognize what? Now we have all the time defeated that racism and violence.”

Robinson introduced his stage occasions to a detailed simply after 18:30 and promised one other such occasion.

The 42-year-old was launched from jail earlier this yr after being jailed in October for ignoring an order to not repeat false claims a few Syrian refugee, who had efficiently sued him for libel.

Further reporting by Daniel Sandford, Nick Johnson and Maia Davies.