Eight people have been charged following a large right‑wing rally led by activist Tommy Robinson that police say left 26 officers injured and prompted 24 arrests on Saturday.
The demonstration, which organisers and police estimates put between about 110,000 and 150,000 participants, began with speeches about free speech and concerns over small‑boat migration but escalated into disorder when groups of protesters and counter‑protesters converged in central London, police said. Violence broke out along Whitehall, where officers reported being kicked and punched, and objects including bottles and flares were thrown.
The Metropolitan Police said 24 people were arrested on the day on suspicion of a range of offences including public order offences, assault on an emergency worker and criminal damage. Of those arrested, eight have been charged and one person was given a caution, the force said. Three men among the charged defendants appeared at a London court on Monday.
Officials named the eight charged individuals and their alleged offences. Lewis Siverns, 33, from Sandwell in the West Midlands, was charged with assault on an emergency worker. Aaron Wren, 36, from Kent, faces a charge under Section 4A of the Public Order Act. James Moore, 50, from Devon, was charged with common assault on a police officer. Norman Richards, 58, from Essex, was charged with assault on a police officer. Paul Newman, 56, from west London, was charged with breaching a dispersal order and breaching bail conditions by entering the Borough of Westminster. Jamie Brewer, 35, from Essex, was charged with actual bodily harm against a police officer. Richard Hamilton, 42, from Glasgow, was charged with assault on an emergency worker. Matthew Wilkins, 55, from Hampshire, was charged with breaching Section 14 of the Public Order Act and disrupting a person engaged in lawful activity.
The Met said its post‑event investigation is ongoing and officers have reviewed hundreds of hours of CCTV footage and other evidence. Detective Chief Inspector Natalie Norris, of the Met’s Public Order Crime Team, said public order policing “doesn't end when the event is over” and appealed to the public to help identify other people involved in criminality.
Police have released images of 11 people they want to trace in connection with a range of public order offences and assaults on emergency workers. Members of the public who believe they recognise anyone pictured, or who have footage that could assist enquiries, were asked to contact police on 101 quoting CAD 4624/15SEP25 or to tweet @MetCC. To remain anonymous, people were advised to contact the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The rally in central London on Saturday drew unprecedented numbers for a right‑wing demonstration in the UK and prompted widespread disruption in the city centre. Authorities had deployed large numbers of officers to police the event, and said barriers were used to try to keep rival groups apart. Police described “concerted attempts” by some attendees to get past barriers during confrontations.
No further court dates for the charged defendants were announced by police in their statement. The Crown Prosecution Service will determine charges to be brought to court as investigations continue and evidence is reviewed.