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The Independent UK

Tara Cobham and Tom Watling

London protests latest: Starmer says rally sent ‘shiver’ through UK as Musk lashes out at call for sanctions

Tommy Robinson London Athena Stavrou Police SUTR

Sir Keir Starmer has condemned Tommy Robinson’s “Unite the Kingdom” demonstration, saying it sent a “shiver” through the UK.

The prime minister is also facing demands to sanction Elon Musk – who has now lashed out at the calls – after the tech billionaire called for the dissolution of parliament in comments to the up to 150,000 demonstrators on Saturday.

The X and Tesla owner’s speech at the London rally organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson – in which he also told protesters to “either fight back or you die” – has been denounced as “inappropriate” and “disgusting”.

In an interview with Channel 4 News on Monday, Sir Keir described the demonstration as “plastic patriotism”, adding that it had been more than “just very bad behaviour”.

He said: “It sent a shiver through so many of our communities who now feel more scared than they did before. I understand that.”

On Sunday, Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey wrote to the prime minister, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and UK Reform leader Nigel Farage, urging them to join him in “condemning Mr Musk's dangerous remarks inciting violence ” and to consider sanctions against Musk.

The tech billionaire has now hit back, calling Mr Davey a “craven coward”.

Elon Musk piggybacks Tommy Robinson and brings his troll show to Britain after being banished from the White House

Coming to a big screen near you… Elon Musk is undermining Britain again

Thousands to protest against Donald Trump’s state visit

The far-right march was a significant event, and a sinister one

Key Points

Starmer 'will not stand' for violence against police or 'intimidation' on streets
No 10 slams Musk's 'dangerous and inflammatory' language
Davey calls for Musk to be sanctioned
Musk hits back at Davey's call for sanctions
Davey responds to Musk's lashing out at him
Elon Musk tells Robinson protest ‘violence is coming’ in call for change in UK government

Starmer says Britain must never surrender flag after London protest amid backlash over Musk

Monday 15 September 2025 10:47 , Tom Watling

Britain will not ‘surrender’ flag to far-right protesters

James frontman ‘disgusted’ after Tommy Robinson uses indie band song ‘Sit Down’ at protest

Monday 15 September 2025 11:09 , Tom Watling

James frontman ‘disgusted’ after Robinson uses indie band song ‘Sit Down’ at protest

Police search for demonstrator who called for Starmer to be assassinated

Monday 15 September 2025 11:14 , Tom Watling

Police are looking for a man who called for Sir Keir Starmer to be assassinated while attending the Unite the Kingdom march over the weekend.

The demonstrator was speaking to former Tory councillor and conspiracy theorist William Coleshill in London during the march.

In a video that is circulating online, he is heard saying: “Keir Starmer needs to be assassinated, someone needs to shoot Keir Starmer.”

Police say they are aware of the video but have not made any arrests yet.

Keir Starmer issues defiant response following Unite the Kingdom rally

Monday 15 September 2025 11:34 , Tom Watling

Keir Starmer issues defiant response following Unite the Kingdom rally

Davey calls for Musk to be sanctioned

Monday 15 September 2025 11:55 , Tom Watling

Sir Ed Davey is leading calls for tech billionaire Elon Musk to be sanctioned after calling for the “dissolution of Parliament” during a speech to demonstrators.

The Lib Dem leader announced he has written to Keir Starmer, Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage “urging them to join me in condemning Elon Musk's dangerous remarks inciting violence yesterday” and to consider sanctions against the tech billionaire.

He added: “As leaders, we must stand together and make clear Musk will face serious consequences for these actions.”

In a speech to attendees of the weekend’s Tommy Robinson rally, Musk claimed a “dissolution of Parliament” is needed and said “massive uncontrolled migration” was contributing to the “destruction of Britain”.

He also told the crowd that “violence is coming” and that “you either fight back or you die”.

Quickly after the speech, Sir Ed had issued a statement on social media saying British democracy is “too precious to be a plaything for foreign tech barons”.

I've written to Keir Starmer, Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage, urging them to join me in condemning Elon Musk's dangerous remarks inciting violence yesterday.

As leaders, we must stand together and make clear Musk will face serious consequences for these actions. pic.twitter.com/EfdICsydWT
— Ed Davey (@EdwardJDavey) September 14, 2025

Thousands turn out for Tommy Robinson rally in central London

Monday 15 September 2025 12:18 , Tom Watling

Below we remind you of the scale of the weekend’s protests, understood to be the largest right-wing demonstration in UK history.

Elon Musk tells Tommy Robinson protest ‘violence is coming’ in call for change in UK government

Monday 15 September 2025 12:43 , Tom Watling

Elon Musk calls for change of UK government at Tommy Robinson rally

Dozens of police officers injured and 25 arrests as huge Tommy Robinson rally marred by violence

Monday 15 September 2025 13:00 , Tom Watling

Dozens of police officers injured as huge Tommy Robinson rally marred by violence

Those who hurt police 'will face full force of law', home secretary vows

Monday 15 September 2025 13:32 , Jane Dalton

Home secretary Shabana Mahmood warned that protesters who attacked and injured police officers would "face the full force of the law".

"The right to peaceful protest is fundamental to this nation. I thank the police who worked hard to ensure much of today's protest was peaceful," Mahmood said after the rally.

"Anyone taking part in criminal activity will face the full force of the law," she said.

The right to peaceful protest is fundamental to this nation. I thank the police who worked hard to ensure much of today's protest was peaceful. But I condemn those who have attacked and injured police officers. Anyone taking part in criminal activity will face the full force of…
— Shabana Mahmood MP (@ShabanaMahmood) September 13, 2025

Met says more arrests to come

Monday 15 September 2025 13:33 , Jane Dalton

The Met said officers were working to identify other people involved in the disorder on Saturday, with a view to making further arrests “in the coming days and weeks”.

Twenty-four people have already been arrested for a range of offences, including affray, violent disorder, assault and criminal damage, after both events began largely without incident.

No 10 slams Musk's 'dangerous and inflammatory' language

Monday 15 September 2025 13:51 , Jane Dalton

Downing Street has accused Elon Musk of using "dangerous and inflammatory" language at the “Unite The Kingdom” protest on Saturday.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "The UK is a fair, tolerant and decent country.

"The last thing the British people want is this sort of dangerous and inflammatory language."

He said the language threatened "violence and intimidation on our streets".

Streeting speaks out against Tommy Robinson protests

Monday 15 September 2025 14:58 , Tom Watling

Health secretary Wes Streeting has spoken out about the Tommy Robinson protests over the weekend that left some of his constituents feeling unsafe.

You can see his full statement below.

This weekend there were people in my community who were afraid to go into London and are considering whether the country they were born into is safe for them because of their colour or creed.

We can’t look the other way.

This - 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 - belongs to all of us, not just some of us. pic.twitter.com/r4vnmBOo46
— Wes Streeting (@wesstreeting) September 15, 2025

Nigel Farage breaks silence after Elon Musk urges UK to ‘fight or die’ at Tommy Robinson march

Monday 15 September 2025 16:01 , Tom Watling

Farage breaks silence after Musk urges UK to ‘fight or die’ at Tommy Robinson march

The far-right march was a significant event, and a sinister one

Monday 15 September 2025 17:01 , Tom Watling

The Unite the Kingdom march showed us the danger of Tommy Robinson

Eight charged after disorder at London protest

Monday 15 September 2025 17:31 , Tara Cobham

Eight people have been charged after disorder broke out during protests in central London at the weekend.

Between 110,000 and 150,000 people turned out for right-wing activist Tommy Robinson’s Unite the Kingdom rally on Saturday, with around 5,000 involved in an anti-racism counter-demonstration.

The Metropolitan Police said there were several incidents of violent disorder, the majority of which were linked to the Unite the Kingdom event.

Met issues photos of 11 people officers are trying to find

Monday 15 September 2025 17:33 , Tara Cobham

The Met has also issued photos of 11 people who officers are trying to trace in relation to the disorder.

Do you recognise these people?

We want to speak to them in connection with suspected public order offences and assaults on emergency service workers in central London on Sat 13 September.

If you have info or footage that can help us ID them, call 101 quoting CAD 4624/15SEP25 pic.twitter.com/4vOPwz8CgB
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) September 15, 2025

The eight people facing charges

Monday 15 September 2025 17:55 , Tara Cobham

Eight people are facing charges including assault and public order offences, the Metropolitan Police has said.

They included three men who appeared in court on Monday:

– Richard Hamilton, 42, of Braeside Place, Glasgow, was charged with assault on an emergency worker and was remanded in custody at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

– Matthew Wilkins, 55, of Villa Gardens, Waterlooville, Hampshire, was charged with breaching Section 14 of the Public Order Act and disrupting a person engaged in lawful activity and was remanded in custody.

– Jamie Brewer, 35, of Choat Place, Chelmsford, Essex, appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court charged with actual bodily harm against a police officer.

The remaining five were:

– Lewis Siverns, 33, of Farmer Way, Sandwell, West Midlands, was charged with assault on an emergency worker and bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday October 1.

– Aaron Wren, 36, of Kingswear Garden, Rochester, Kent, was charged under Section 4A of the Public Order Act and bailed to appear at Highbury Magistrates’ Court on Monday September 29.

– James Moore, 50, of Pulchrass Street, Barnstaple, Devon, was charged with common assault on a police officer and was bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday October 13.

– Paul Newman, 56, of Park Road East, Uxbridge, west London, was charged with breach of a dispersal order and bail conditions not to enter the Borough of Westminster and was bailed to appear at the same court on the same day.

– Norman Richards, 58, of Buckles Lane, Thurrock, Essex, was charged with assault on a police officer and was bailed to appear at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Monday October 13.

Starmer says Britain must never surrender flag after London protest amid backlash over Musk

Monday 15 September 2025 18:00 , Tom Watling

Britain will not ‘surrender’ flag to far-right protesters

Police continue to appeal for information

Monday 15 September 2025 18:03 , Tara Cobham

Detective Chief Inspector Natalie Norris, from the Met’s Public Order Crime Team, said: “Public order policing doesn’t end when the event is over and since Saturday our teams have been working to identify those involved in any criminality.

“Our post-event investigation is ongoing and officers have trawled through hundreds of hours of CCTV footage and continue to review evidence to help with inquiries.

“We have identified a number of people we want to speak to in connection with a range of offences – and we are asking for the public’s help to track them down.

“As with any major event, we know people may have travelled from outside of London, so we’re asking for people across the country to take a look at those pictured and get in touch if they recognise anyone.”

Anyone with information or relevant footage of the individuals can call 101 quoting CAD 4624/15SEP25 or tweet @MetCC, or to remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or online.

Starmer says rally sent 'shiver' through UK

Monday 15 September 2025 18:17 , Tara Cobham

Saturday’s protests “sent a shiver through so many of our communities” leaving them feeling “more scared than they did before”, the prime minister has said.

Sir Keir Starmer told Channel 4 News: “Look what happened on our streets on Saturday.

“That wasn’t just very bad behaviour in central London, although it was that – assaulting police officers and the like, that’s plastic patriotism.

“It sent a shiver through so many of our communities who now feel more scared than they did before.

“I understand that. I’m absolutely determined to lead in this fight of our times between renewal, the patriotic cause of the Labour Party, and the division and toxic chaos and decline that would come under Reform.”

Musk hits back at Davey's call for sanctions

Monday 15 September 2025 18:29 , Tara Cobham

Elon Musk has hit back at Ed Davey after the Liberal Democrat leader called for sanctions against the tech billionaire.

Musk called Mr Davey a “craven coward” in response to the MP’s letter, which urged Keir Starmer, Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage to join him in condemnation of the X owner.

You are a craven coward
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 15, 2025

Unite the Kingdom protesters clash with police at rally

Monday 15 September 2025 19:02 , Tom Watling

Unite the Kingdom protesters clash with police at rally

Davey responds to Musk's lashing out at him

Monday 15 September 2025 19:09 , Tara Cobham

Ed Davey has responded to Elon Musk’s lashing out at him.

The Lib Dem leader said: “Elon Musk called me a ‘craven coward’ this morning, because I called out his deeply dangerous and irresponsible rhetoric calling for violence on our streets over the weekend – telling protestors to ‘fight back or die’ and to overthrow the government.”