Tommy Robinson march - LIVE: Police make arrests as thousands of Robinson supporters join protest in London
Thousands join Stand Up To Racism counter-protest
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Police have made a number of arrests after thousands of Tommy Robinson supporters gathered in central London for a protest – with Robinson being being remanded into custody by police on Friday.
Four people - two from the far-right march and two from the anti-racist counter-protest - have been arrested so far on Saturday.
Officers from across the country were drafted in to support the Metropolitan Police as chants of “Oh Tommy, Tommy” and “We want Starmer out” were heard amongst ‘Uniting the Kingdom’ attendees.
Meanwhile, thousands of counter-protesters gathered at a march organised by Stand Up To Racism, which called on its supporters to “take to the streets” in a “massive anti-fascist demonstration”.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, missed his own planned march as he remains in police custody.
He is accused of being in contempt of court following the airing of a film at a protest in central London and after attending Folkestone Police station on Friday, he was separately charged with failing to provide his mobile phone Pin to police under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000, Kent Police said.
Tommy Robinson supporters begin to gather - without Robinson
People have begun gathering for Tommy Robinson’s far-right ‘Unite the Kingdom’ march in Victoria, central London.
What appears to be hundreds of people - with many holding British or English flags - have congregated ahead of their planned march to Whitehall.
Robinson himself will not be present at the march after he was remanded in police custody on Friday.
Full story: Tommy Robinson charged with terror offence after failing to provide phone password
Right-wing activist Tommy Robinson has been charged under terror laws after he surrendered to a Kent police station.
The 41-year-old was pictured arriving at Folkestone police station on Friday after telling his followers on X/Twitter that he expected to be arrested.
After arriving in a black Nissan Elgrand, he hugged supporters waiting outside for him who then cheered as he entered the police station at 3pm.
Kent Police later confirmed he has been charged with failing to provide the PIN to his mobile phone under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act and has been bailed to appear in court next month.
Read the full story here:
Tommy Robinson charged under terror laws
The right-wing figure attended Folkestone Police Station where he was charged under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act, Kent Police said
Met Police full statement ahead of planned protests
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Rachel Williams, who is leading the policing operation this weekend, said: “We are well prepared for what is set to be a busy day in the centre of London.“Our role is to ensure that those attending the various events can do so safely and that they can exercise their right to lawful protest.
“We will have significant resources in place to respond to any incidents, to deal decisively with any offences, and to keep disruption to other members of the public and businesses to a minimum.
“We know that when groups with opposing views come together it can lead to conflict and disorder and a key part of our role is ensuring that does not happen. We have used Public Order Act conditions to ensure that those involved stick to routes and assembly areas that are sufficiently far apart. Officers will be monitoring closely to ensure that conditions are adhered to.
“The impact of frequent significant protest in central London is considerable, not least on the officers deployed to police them. Many would be working in other frontline roles if they weren’t required for these events.
“We’re grateful for the assistance of colleagues from other forces whose contribution means we are able to police protests while also keeping local communities across London safe.”
Pictures from previous Tommy Robinson-led marches
What was Tommy Robinson charged with?
Tommy Robinson has been charged under terror laws after he surrendered to a Kent police station at 3pm on Friday.
Kent Police later confirmed he has been charged with failing to provide the PIN to his mobile phone under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act and has been bailed to appear in court next month.
The charge is in relation to an incident in Folkestone on 28 July after officers stopped him at the port.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 13 November in relation to that charge.
But the force confirmed he has been remanded in custody in relation a separate allegations of contempt of court, which he is due to face in a two-day hearing at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday. It is alleged he has repeated libellous allegations against a Syrian refugee who successfully sued him.
Recap: Tommy Robinson to miss own protest after being remanded into police custory
Tommy Robinson will miss his own planned protest in central London on Saturday after he was remanded into custody by police.
The 41-year-old, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is accused of being in contempt of court after the airing of a film at a protest in Trafalgar Square in July.
He attended Folkestone police station on Friday where he was separately charged with failing to provide his mobile phone access code to police under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000, Kent Police said.
Robinson is due to appear at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday for a two-day hearing concerning allegations that he breached a 2021 High Court order barring him from repeating libellous allegations against a Syrian refugee who successfully sued him.
It is understood the airing of a film, titled Silenced, at the Trafalgar Square demonstration is one of six actions alleged to have breached the injunction between June and July.
The film is also pinned to the top of his X account.
His supporters are due to hold a demonstration on Saturday, which is expected to be met with a counter-protest organised by Stand Up to Racism.
Maps of today’s opposing protests
What marches are planned for today?
Tommy Robinson supporters are due to hold a demonstration on Saturday, which is expected to be met with a counter-protest organised by Stand Up to Racism.
The march organised on behalf of Robinson - called ‘Unite the Kingdom’ - is due to march from Victoria station to the southern end of Whitehall, while the counter-protest will begin at Regent Street St James’s and finish at the north end of Whitehall.
Stand Up to Racism has called on its supporters to “take to the streets” in a “massive anti-fascist demonstration”.
The Met said static rallies are expected at the end of both marches.
Met outline policing plans ahead of protest
The Metropolitan Police have set out their plans ahead of planned demonstrations on Saturday.
Tommy Robinson will miss his own planned march - named ‘Uniting the Kingdom’ - after having been remanded in police custody on Friday.
This group are set to march from Victoria Station to the southern end of Whitehall, while a counter protest organised by Stand Up To Racism will march from Regent Street St James’s to the north end of Whitehall. Static rallies will take place at the end of both protest marches.
The force said there will be a significant policing presence ensuring that the two opposing groups are kept apart and pre-emptive conditions have been imposed under the Public Order Act to prevent serious disruption or disorder.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Rachel Williams, who is leading the policing operation this weekend, said: “We know that when groups with opposing views come together it can lead to conflict and disorder and a key part of our role is ensuring that does not happen.
“We have used Public Order Act conditions to ensure that those involved stick to routes and assembly areas that are sufficiently far apart. Officers will be monitoring closely to ensure that conditions are adhered to.
“The impact of frequent significant protest in central London is considerable, not least on the officers deployed to police them. Many would be working in other frontline roles if they weren’t required for these events.
“We’re grateful for the assistance of colleagues from other forces whose contribution means we are able to police protests while also keeping local communities across London safe.”
Tommy Robinson charged with terror offence after failing to provide phone password
Tommy Robinson charged under terror laws
The right-wing figure attended Folkestone Police Station where he was charged under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act, Kent Police said
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