A Cabinet minister said far‑right activist Tommy Robinson was tapping into a wider “sense of disquiet” in the country after tens of thousands attended a rally in central London that saw scuffles between marchers and counter‑protesters.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme that the gatherings on Saturday—an event organised by Robinson that organisers said drew up to 150,000 people and a counter‑protest of about 5,000 coordinated by Stand Up To Racism—reflected deep‑seated grievances in parts of society. He said the violence seen at the event was the work of a “small minority” who would be held to account.
Metropolitan Police said 26 officers were injured during the day and 24 people were arrested on a range of offences. Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist described a large policing operation that included 1,000 Met officers and additional support drafted in from other forces across England, and said "there is no doubt that many came to exercise their lawful right to protest, but there were many who came intent on violence."
Robinson, whose given name is Stephen Yaxley‑Lennon, addressed the crowd and criticised politicians, saying they had begun “parroting” his ideas. He also alleged courts were prioritising the rights of undocumented migrants over those of local communities. That allegation follows a recent Court of Appeal decision that overturned an injunction which had blocked asylum seekers being housed at the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex.
Kyle linked the unrest to broader economic and social trends, saying much of the anger had its “roots in the financial crisis” and that governments had not succeeded in rebuilding communities since then. "What worries me most is the divisions in our society and other societies and other democratic societies ... it's not even the left and the right at the moment," he said.
The minister criticised comments made by tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, who appeared at the Saturday rally by video link and told attendees to "fight back" or "die," while also warning of "massive uncontrolled migration" and calling for a change of government in the UK. "I thought that they were slightly incomprehensible comments that were totally inappropriate," Kyle said.
Police said they had sought to keep rival groups apart during the demonstrations. Footage and eyewitness accounts showed sporadic clashes and scenes of confrontation in parts of central London. Organisers for the Unite the Kingdom rally framed the event as an exercise of free speech and freedom of association, while counter‑protesters said they had come to oppose racism and far‑right mobilisation.
The policing operation, injuries and arrests come amid heightened public debate about immigration, asylum accommodation and community tensions. Ministers and senior police commanders said the episode underlined the need to address underlying concerns while upholding the rule of law and public order. Kyle said moments such as Saturday’s demonstrations were a “klaxon call” for those in power to redouble efforts to address issues such as immigration that are worrying people.
Authorities have said those responsible for violent offending will be pursued through the criminal justice system. The Metropolitan Police said investigations were ongoing into the incidents and that officers would continue to review evidence and make arrests where appropriate.