Demonstrators attack police in violent clashes as thousands gather in London
Boris Johnson condemns ‘racist thuggery’ after police pelted with missiles as far-right groups turn up for Black Lives Matter protests
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Your support makes all the difference.More than 100 people were arrested after violent demonstrators attacked police in central London, drawn by Black Lives Matter protests.
Football hooligans and far-right groups descended on the capital, vowing to “defend” memorials from protesters after the Westminster statue of Winston Churchill was covered up for protection.
Boris Johnson warned that anyone attacking police would face “the full force of the law”, and condemned the “racist thuggery”.
Hundreds of people defied a 5pm police curfew in the capital, after a day of clashes near the Houses of Parliament and Trafalgar Square.
Demonstrators repeatedly assailed officers in riot gear with missiles, smoke grenades, bottles and flares.
There were a number of clashes with police in riot gear as crowds chanting "Tommy Robinson" and "England" while raising their arms surged towards lines of officers.
Violence also erupted at Waterloo station as activists chased counter-protesters, overwhelming police.
The home secretary condemned as “shameful” the “desecration” of a memorial to PC Keith Palmer, the policeman who was killed trying to defend parliament from a terror attack, when a man was seen urinating right next to it.
Catch up on events as they happened.
Desecration of PC's memorial shameful, says home secretary
Home secretary Priti Patel has condemned the "desecration" of Keith Palmer's memorial, saying: "We have seen some shameful scenes today, including the desecration of PC Keith Palmer's memorial in Parliament, in Westminster Square, and quite frankly that is shameful, that is absolutely appalling and shameful."
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the violence against police had been "completely unacceptable".
He tweeted: "Today's protests in London were led by those intent on causing violence and sowing hate for their own ends. We must not let them win."
Scotland Yard investigate after man urinated at PC's memorial
Police are investigating after a man taking part in far-right protests urinated right next to a memorial to Pc Keith Palmer in Westminster.
Metropolitan Police Commander Bas Javid said: "We are aware of a disgusting and abhorrent image circulating on social media of a man appearing to urinate on a memorial to PC Palmer.
"I feel for Pc Palmer's family, friends, and colleagues.
"We have immediately launched an investigation, and will gather all the evidence available to us and take appropriate action."
More than 100 arrests
The Metropolitan Police have updated the number of arrests made during today's clashes, to more than 100.
The arrests were for offences including violent disorder, assaulting police officers, possession of an offensive weapon, possession of class-A drugs, being drunk and disorderly and breach of the peace.
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