Britain “will never surrender” its national flag to extremists who use it as a symbol for violence and intimidation, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said after one of the country’s largest far-right rallies in decades descended into clashes with police.
More than 110,000 people marched through central London on Saturday at the “Unite the Kingdom” protest against immigration, led by far-right activist Tommy Robinson (real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon). Police reported 26 officers injured and at least 24 arrests after bottles and projectiles were thrown at mounted police.
“People have a right to peaceful protest. It is core to our country’s values,” Starmer said on Sunday. “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.”
He added:
“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.”
Saturday’s rally featured nationalist slogans, scuffles and inflammatory speeches. Robinson told the crowd:
“It’s not just Britain that is being invaded. It’s not just Britain that is being raped … An orchestrated, organised invasion and replacement of European citizens is happening.”
French far-right politician Eric Zemmour echoed the “great replacement” conspiracy theory from the stage, while Belgian politician Filip Dewinter declared:
“Islam is our real enemy … Islam does not belong in the UK.” Danish, German and Polish far-right figures also appeared, along with Tesla CEO Elon Musk via video link, warning protesters to “fight back or die.”
The protest sparked alarm among police, government officials and anti-fascist groups, who linked the event to a rise in arson attacks on hotels housing asylum seekers and other far-right violence.
Assistant Metropolitan Police Commissioner Matt Twist called the attacks on officers “wholly unacceptable.” Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood warned that anyone taking part in criminal acts would “face the full force of the law.”
Hope Not Hate, an anti-extremist group, said the rally was “extremely disturbing” and could mark the largest far-right demonstration ever seen in Britain. “It could be a sign of dark times to come,” the group warned.
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