Tommy Robinson (centre) leads a march through London behind a banner that reads ‘This is London not Londistan’ (Picture: David Parry/PA Wire)
Known football hooligans are among thousands gathered to support far right activist Tommy Robinson today, say the Met Police.
Robinson – known for his anti-Islamist campaigns – led a march from Victoria Station in London to Parliament Square where he called on the resignation of Met Police chief Sir Mark Rowley.
He showed a documentary, Lawfare, which claims Sir Mark leads a ‘two-tier policing’ system that favours Muslims and pro-Palestine supporters over white Brits.
Several speeches were also made, including one by Lawrence Fox, while protesters waved Union Jack and St George’s Cross flags and reportedly chanted hateful slogans such as ‘who the f*** is Allah?’.
During the march Fox and Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley Lennon, walked behind a massive banner saying ‘This is London not Londistan’.
When the group reached Parliament Square, the Met Police posted on X, formerly Twitter: ‘Officers have identified individuals within the crowd who have a history of being involved in violent disorder.
‘A number have football banning orders and are associated with hooligan groups from London and across the UK.’
Robinson supporters in central London (Picture: David Parry/PA Wire)
Laurence Fox posted a selfie on X with Robinson (Picture: X/LozzaFox)
Police also said a number of people were drinking alcohol and getting drunk early on in the protest.
A static counter protest, organised by Stand Up to Racism, also took place in Whitehall from midday.
The organisation said in a statement its members would ‘stand together against attempts to divide us’.
The protests are happening on the same day as an unrelated pro-Palestine Youth Demand march, also in London.
A counter protest was held by Stand Up to Racism (Picture: Alishia Abodunde/Getty Images)
The counter protest gathered at Whitehall (Picture: Getty Images Europe)
The protesters, who said they planned to occupy bridges and roads, were subject to a Public Order Act, preventing them from entering the borough of Westminster, going on any bridge over the Thames and leaving the pavement.
The Met Police posted on X that nine Youth Demand protesters have been arrested for leaving the pavement.
It added: ‘The remainder of the group has largely dispersed but officers continue to monitor those still in the area.’
Due to the protests and tonight’s UEFA Champions League Final at Wembley thousands of police officers have been deployed across the city.
Several people carried England flags (Picture: David Parry/PA Wire)
Robinson called on his supporters to be peaceful today, but speaking yesterday Met Police Commander Louise Puddefoot said: ‘While we are grateful to the main organiser of the protest for comments he has made publicly discouraging violence on Saturday, we do have concerns about the number of those believed to be attending who have links to football disorder.
‘When these groups have come together at previous protests we have regrettably seen violence directed at officers.
‘This precedent unavoidably plays a part in shaping the policing approach, including the number and nature of resources allocated to police this particular protest.’
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