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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
National
Ewan Somerville

Police appeal after 'entirely unacceptable' attack on officer at Tommy Robinson rally

Police have appealed to the public for help identifying a man after an assault on an officer at a Tommy Robinson demonstration.

The Metropolitan Police released photos of a man they want to speak to following the protest in Westminster on August 24.

Images show him wearing a back-to-front peaked cap, dark shorts and a black and white T-shirt with the logo of the band Kiss on the front.

Police said the assault took place as supporters of Mr Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, clashed with a counter-protest by groups including Stand up to Racism.

Scotland Yard said "a number of people attempted to physically breach a police cordon" in Portland Place shortly after 11.30am.

It added: "As part of this, an officer was violently pushed by one or more people.

"Police are now releasing an image of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the incident."

A woman in her 30s was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and has been bailed to return on a date in late September, police said.

Detective Sergeant Chris Rudd, who is leading the investigation into violence at the rally, said: "Our officers work hard to protect the rights of those who wish to protest and our main aim is to reduce the potential for violence, disorder and disruption to communities.

"Assaults on police officers - who are there to ensure the safety of those attending such protests - are entirely unacceptable and we will work tirelessly to investigate incidents of this nature.

"I appeal to anyone who has information on this individual to come forward in complete confidence."

Anyone with any information about the man pictured or the violence at the protests should call 0208 246 9365, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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