Police have arrested dozens of people across their operations for Tommy Robinson’s Unite the Kingdom march and a pro-Palestine rally in London.
The Metropolitan Police, said, “There have so far been 31 arrests across the whole operation.”
However, the force said that while this may seem high that “protests have proceeded largely without significant incident.”
Earlier in the day, it cited a “variety of offences” for the arrests, as officers have been preparing for an “unprecedented” security operation to avoid clashes between the two marches.
Police estimate about 80,000 people are attending the marches, with thousands of football fans also in the capital for the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, making it one of the busiest policing days in years.
Tens of thousands of pro-Palestine protestors are demonstrating through central London as they mark “Nakba Day”. Many carry placards bearing slogans such as “Nurses Not Nukes”, “Free Palestine”, and “Stop Arming Israel”.
In the Tommy Robinson camp, herds of protestors set off from Kingsway decked in Union flags, while others carried the flag of opposition to the Iranian regime.
There were loud chants insulting Sir Keir Starmer, as protesters gathered on Kingsway in central London ahead of the march.
Many protesters were wearing “Make England Great Again (Mega)” red hats and others draped themselves in Union flags.
Key Points
- Police have made 31 arrests across London protests
- Tommy Robinson marchers 'spreading hate and division'
- Two men attending Tommy Robinson rally arrested at Euston over incident in Birmingham
- CPS 'will not hesitate' to prosecute for hate speech
How many people attended the protests today?
19:22 , Rebecca WhittakerTens of thousands of people attended both the Tommy Robinson’s Unite the Kingdom march and a pro-Palestine rally in London today.
Organisers of the pro-Palestine Nakba Day rally estimated at least a quarter of a million people attended the rally - larger than police estimates of 30,000.
However, the number of people estimated to be at Tommy Robinson’s march was lower than his march in September. The Metropolitan police believe that 60,000 attended the far right Unite the Kingdom march, down from 150,000 in September.
Speeches at Unite the Kingdom protest come to an end
19:05 , Rebecca WhittakerSpeeches at the Unite the Kingdom protest have concluded with You’ll Never Walk Alone being performed to the crowd.
Speakers frequently criticised illegal immigration with protest organiser Tommy Robison calling for a British version of US immigration agency ICE.
Many of those who addressed the crowds in Westminster also called for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to resign.
Numerous “unite the West” banners were placed along the march route by protest organisers.
Met police arrested 31 people across both demonstrations
18:13 , Rebecca WhittakerThe Metropolitan Police said 31 people were arrested across both Tommy Robinson’s Unite the Kingdom march and a pro-Palestine rally, at 4.30pm.
The rallies for both protests are ongoing.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) May 16, 2026
There have so far been 31 arrests across the whole operation. We will provide a more detailed breakdown at the conclusion.
While this may seem high, to this point both protests have proceeded largely without significant incident.
The Unite the Kingdom rally has ended
18:08 , Rebecca WhittakerThe Unite the Kingdom rally has now ended.
Tommy Robinson has thanked the Metropolitan Police and asked the crows to show officers “some respect” and to “be safe” on their journey home.
Jeremy Corbyn tells Reform "hate" will no improve social conditions
18:05 , Rebecca ThomasThe Your Party co-founder sends a warning to Reform UK and the far right during Saturday’s pro-Palestine rally in London.
Speaking to pro-Palestine protestors, he said:“To those in Reform and the far right that do so much to attack us all and attack our communities, your hatred can succeed in dividing people, but your hatred will not build one council house, will not improve one hospital, will not teach one child, will not end somebody’s homeless life on the streets of London.
“The only thing that can change that is a change of economic, social, and international policy – that’s what brings us together.”
Quarter of a million take part in pro-Palestine Nakba Day rally
17:50 , Rebecca ThomasOrganisers of the pro-Palestine Nakba Day rally have estimated at least a quarter of a million people have attended the protest, making it “10 times bigger” than the Unite the Kingdom demonstration, they said.
The rally organisers said Nakba Day attendees outnumbered those at Tommy Robinson’s Unite the Kingdom protest.
Joint secretary of Stand Up To Racism Sabby Dhalu said the protest is “much bigger” than the demonstration in Parliament Square, and warned the crowd should not to attempt to leave the rally early for “safety reasons”.
Latest images from pro-palestine protest
17:35 , Rebecca ThomasHere are some on-the-ground pictures of the pro-Palestine protesters.
Corbyn says Westminister needs change in policies not personalities
16:50 , Rebecca ThomasFormer Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn told supporters at the pro-Palestine rally in Pall Mall that Westminster needs a change in “policy” not “personalities”.
The Your Party co-founder, who was greeted by loud cheers from the crowd, said: “Whatever happens to Keir Starmer, I don’t know if he’s going to survive the coup, he should know about coups. I know about coups. I know what goes on.“But I would say that if there’s to be a change, it’s got to be a change of policy, not the personalities.”
He added: “To those in Reform and the far right that do so much to attack us all and attack our communities, your hatred can succeed in dividing people, but your hatred will not build one council house, will not improve one hospital, will not teach one child, will not end somebody’s homeless life on the streets of London.
The only thing that can change that is a change of economic, social, and international policy – that’s what brings us together.”
First arrests made at Nakba Day protest
16:43 , Rebecca ThomasFootage of the first arrests made at Nakba Day protest:
Police update on earlier arrests at Euston station
16:41 , Rebecca ThomasThe Metropolitan Police have updated details on the arrest of two men at Euston station.
Posting on social media platform, X, the force said: “One of the two men was arrested in connection with the incident in Birmingham where a man was run over as previously described.
“The second arrested man was wanted for a separate offence which involved encouraging people to attack a police officer.”
A correction on the post below. One of the two men was arrested in connection with the incident in Birmingham where a man was run over as previously described.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) May 16, 2026
The second arrested man was wanted for a separate offence which involved encouraging people to attack a police officer. https://t.co/ZnpEW6695B
Crowds gather on Saturday for Unite the Kingdom
16:35 , Rebecca ThomasTens of thousands of people have gathered for the Unite the Kingdom march, many waving Union flags.
Police have made 31 arrests across London protests operation
16:33 , Rebecca ThomasThe Met Police have confirmed 31 arrests have been made in relation to the London protests so far today.
Posting on social media site X, police said: The rallies for both protests are ongoing. There have so far been 31 arrests across the whole operation. We will provide a more detailed breakdown at the conclusion. While this may seem high, to this point both protests have proceeded largely without significant incident.”
The rallies for both protests are ongoing.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) May 16, 2026
There have so far been 31 arrests across the whole operation. We will provide a more detailed breakdown at the conclusion.
While this may seem high, to this point both protests have proceeded largely without significant incident.
MP says pro-Palestine protesters will not be silenced
16:30 , Rebecca WhittakerLabour MP Apsana Begum said the far-right marches are based on “ intolerance, hatred and division.”
But she told the crowd they will not be divided by the "far-right".
Speaking at the march she said: “Today, we march, Muslims, Jews, Christians, people of all faiths and none, from all ages, from all ethnic backgrounds, bound by our shared humanity and our just purpose."
Pro-Palestine rally organiser says it has more attendees than Unite the Kingdom protest
16:20 , Rebecca WhittakerAn organiser of the Nakba Day pro-Palestine rally said its attendees have outnumbered those at Tommy Robinson’s Unite the Kingdom protest.
Joint secretary of Stand Up To Racism Sabby Dhalu said the protest is “much bigger” than the demonstration in Parliament Square, and warned the crowd should not to attempt to leave the rally early for “safety reasons”.
Crowds cheer in support of Elon Musk at Unite the Kingdom protest
16:10 , Rebecca WhittakerThousands of protesters at the Unite the Kingdom protest chanted “Elon” in support for Elon Musk.
The crowed applauded the tech billionaire after he was praised by Tommy Robinson.
Addressing the protest in Parliament Square, Robinson, who also praised murdered US activist Charlie Kirk, said: “None of this would have happened if it wasn’t for one man.
“Thank you Elon on behalf of Great Britain.”
Watch: ‘Unprecedented’ police operation in capital as tens of thousands to protest
16:00 , Rebecca WhittakerFormer Labour MP calls on crowed to come together to 'fight racism'
15:45 , Rebecca WhittakerMP Diane Abbott told those gathered at a pro-Palestine march that they are “paving the way for a new kind of politics”.
Speaking at a rally in Pall Mall, she said: “The people who have organised these demos, stewarded them, and above all, the people who have gone on these demos, have helped to change British politics by opposing genocide.
“You have exposed the character of the forces that dominate our politics, and you are paving a way for a new kind of politics, day after day, year after year.”
The former Labour MP added that those gathered face a “common enemy” in the “far right”.
She said: “They are viciously right-wing, viciously racist, they are anti-black, anti-Muslim, and viciously antisemitic.
“We have to come together… to fight the racists, to fight the fascists, to fight the antisemites.
“But we will come together, we will support each other. We are going to move forward and ultimately we will triumph.”
Andy Burnham is not an 'alternative' to Starmer, says Your Party founder
15:39 , Rebecca WhittakerYour Party co-founder Zarah Sultana told pro-Palestine protesters gathered in Pall Mall that Andy Burnham is “not an alternative” to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
She told the crowd, which included her Your Party co-founder, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn: “The establishment wants us to believe that change will come from swapping one Labour leader for another.
“Perhaps Keir Starmer will be replaced by Andy Burnham, but let’s be honest, this is Andy Burnham, who voted for the Iraq war, an illegal war that killed millions of people.”
She added: “He is not an alternative. He is another establishment politician cut from the same Zionist cloth.”
Who is part of the line-up for Tommy Robinson’s Unite the Kingdom march in London?
15:30 , Rebecca WhittakerA “paedophile hunter”, a disgraced former MP, and TV personality Ant Middleton are among the eclectic line-up of Tommy Robinson allies due to speak at his Unite the Kingdom march this weekend.
Plans for the major rally through Whitehall in London have been thrown into disarray by travel bans issued by the Home Office to prevent extremist preachers and far-right figures from coming to the UK.
At least seven people, including Polish MEP Dominik Tarczynski and anti-Islam influencer Valentina Gomez, have been blocked from entering the UK to attend the march, which is being organised by British far-right activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.
Read more here:
Who is part of the line-up for Tommy Robinson’s Unite the Kingdom march in London?
Mother of daughter murdered by Sudanese asylum seeker says PM 'failed' her
15:20 , Rebecca WhittakerSiobhan Whyte, the mother of Rhiannon Whyte who was murdered by a Sudanese asylum seeker, told the Unite the Kingdom protest Sir Keir Starmer “failed my daughter”.
She said: “Keir Starmer, where do I even begin to discuss this abhorrent excuse of a leader of our country? He has failed us. He has failed my daughter, Rhiannon.
“I believe she will still be alive today if this disgusting excuse of a man had not been in control.”
Watch: Crowd assembles for Tommy Robinson's Unite the Kingdom rally
15:15 , Rebecca WhittakerMan arrested in connection with an incident in Birmingham
15:09 , Rebecca WhittakerThe Metropolitan Police has clarified details of an arrest made earlier in London today.
The force said two people who had arrived at Euston Station to attend the Unite the Kingdom protest were arrested in connection with an incident in Birmingham where a man was run over.
The force later clarified only one of those arrested was in connection the Birmingham incident while the other was wanted for a separate offence which involved encouraging people to attack a police officer.
Speeches at the pro-Palestinian rally
15:05 , Chris StevensonLabour MP Apsana Begum told pro-Palestine protesters gathered in Pall Mall that the movement will not be divided by the “far right”.
Speaking to demonstrators at the rally, Ms Begum said: “We know that the far right marches because our solidarity with the Palestinian people threatens their cause… the one which is based on intolerance, hatred, and division.
“But today, we march, Muslims, Jews, Christians, people of all faiths and none, from all ages, from all ethnic backgrounds, bound by our shared humanity and our just purpose.
“We will not be divided by the far right.
“We will not be silenced by any government, and we will not go quietly while crimes against humanity continue and are committed with impunity.”
Katie Hopkins speaks
14:53 , Maryam Zakir-HussainKatie Hopkins, the former reality TV star – who has previously labelled migrants cockroaches – told crowds at the Unite the Kingdom protest in a video message she was “so proud of you”.
She said: “I want to thank you all for being at the Unite the Kingdom rally today, whether you’re here in London or joining us from overseas, welcome to Great Britain.
“I want to say a few things to you, if I may. I see you, and I see our capital city, and it looks for the first time in a very long time like the place that I remember, and our capital city and a place that we can all call home, and I’m so proud of you.”
More images from the pro-Palestine march
14:46 , Chris StevensonHere are a selection of new images of the Nakba Day protest:
Tommy Robinson plays up numbers
14:31 , Maryam Zakir-HussainTommy Robinson has posted a video on X from his Unite the Kingdom rally, claiming it numbers in the “millions” and is “the biggest event in British history”.
Based on the images we have, that appears very unlikely. Police have yet to provide estimates on the number of demonstrators.
Keir Starmer's message
14:10 , Maryam Zakir-HussainOn Friday, Sir Keir Starmer said: "We're in a fight for the soul of this country, and the Unite the Kingdom march this weekend is a stark reminder of exactly what we are up against.
"Its organisers are peddling hatred and division, plain and simple. We will block those coming into the UK who seek to incite hatred and violence.
"For anyone who sets out to wreak havoc on our streets, to intimidate or threaten anyone, you can expect to face the full force of the law."
In a post on X on Saturday morning he added: "Today the voices of division will be loud. They don't speak for the country I know, one that belongs to all of us.
"That's our Britain. A Britain worth fighting for."
Tommy Robinson speaks
14:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainTommy Robinson as he’s known, called for crowds gathered for his Unite the Kingdom protest to get involved in politics:
“Are you ready for the battle of Britain? 2029 we have an election. We’re not asking anyone to go out and fight, but this is the most important moment in our generation.
“If we don’t send a message in our next election, if you don’t register to vote, if you don’t get involved, if you don’t become activists, we are going to lose our country forever.
“We have to get political, we have to get involved. I’m not going to tell you which political party you need to join”
'Date of rallies not an accident'
14:03 , Maryam Zakir-HussainThe deputy director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign has said the Unite the Kingdom protest setting off on the same day as the pro-Palestine demonstration is "not an accident".
"The far-right hate the movement in solidarity with Palestine because we reject their racist logic that some lives are less precious than others," Peter Leary told Sky News.
"We're here to send a very clear message that we stand for freedom and justice for everyone and we're hoping to have a very successful demonstration."
Eleven people arrested at both protests, Met Police says
13:30 , Maryam Zakir-HussainEleven people have been arrested “for a variety of offences” at the Unite the Kingdom and Nakba Day protests in London as of 1pm on Saturday, the Metropolitan Police said.
Chants of 'We want Starmer out' by Unite the Kingdom protestors
13:15 , Maryam Zakir-HussainThere were loud chants of “We want Starmer out” and “Tommy, Tommy, Tommy Robinson”, as the Unite the Kingdom march began at Kingsway near Holborn.
Many protesters were wearing “Make England Great Again (Mega)” red hats and others draped themselves in Union flags.
One protester climbed on a telephone box and let off a red smoke flare while waving a wooden crucifix with “saviour” written on it.
Three Kent Police vans line Exhibition Road in South Kensington as protesters gather for the Nakba Day pro-Palestine demonstration, while four Metropolitan Police vans are stationed opposite the Natural History Museum.
Staff outside museums in the area are marshalling visitors as they attempt to make their way through the crowds of demonstrators and street sellers.
Marquees have been set up by several groups, including the pro-Palestine Friends of Al-Aqsa, which has brought a giant inflatable watermelon – a symbol often used to represent the colours of the Palestinian flag.
Protesters have been invited to pick up placards bearing slogans including “Freedom for Palestine”, “Stop Starving Gaza” and “Stop Trump’s Wars”.
Pro-Palestine protestors set off in march through central London
13:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainHundreds of protesters marching in a pro-Palestine Nakba Day rally have set off on a march through central London.
Many carry placards bearing slogans such as “Nurses Not Nukes”, “Free Palestine”, and “Stop Arming Israel”.
Several chanted “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” and “from the sea to the river, Palestine will live forever”.
Tens of thousands of protesters have gathered in central London for the Unite the Kingdom protest organised by Tommy Robinson.
Many protesters were decked in Union flags, while others carried the flag of opposition to the Iranian regime.
There were loud chants insulting Sir Keir Starmer, as protesters gathered on Kingsway in central London ahead of the march.
Some protesters at the front of the march are carrying wooden crosses and chanted “Christ is king”, while others threw beach balls and drank cans of alcohol as they waited for the protest to begin.
Woman arrested after refusing to remove face mask at pro-Palestine protest
12:36 , Maryam Zakir-HussainA woman has been arrested after she appeared to refuse to remove a fabric face mask she was wearing at a pro-Palestine protest forming up in South Kensington.
She was part of a group of protesters who were all asked to remove fabric and surgical face coverings.
A separate group, who were wearing orange jumpsuits with masks over their faces bearing a photo of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, were also asked to remove their masks.
Live: Thousands fill London streets for pro-Palestinian march marking Nakba Day
12:32 , Maryam Zakir-HussainPolice in London are gearing up as tens of thousands descend on London today for two major demonstrations.
'Overwhelming majority of Britain reject hate and division'
12:27 , Maryam Zakir-HussainThe Stand Up To Racism co-convener said the “the overwhelming majority of people in Britain reject hate and division” ahead of the Unite the Kingdom march.
Sabby Dhalu said: “Violence broke out the last time Tommy Robinson’s Unite the Kingdom demonstration mobilised what was one of the largest far-right street demonstrations in recent British history.
“This comes amid wider attempts by figures such as Elon Musk to amplify far-right narratives and encourage political instability.
“The far right is attempting to exploit the cost-of-living crisis by stirring up racism and falsely blaming migrants and refugees for people’s hardships in order to build a dangerous street movement.
“History shows where this kind of politics can lead.
“That is why tens of thousands of people will mobilise today to oppose racism and the far right, and to demonstrate that the overwhelming majority of people in Britain reject hate and division.”
Two wanted men attending Tommy Robinson rally arrested at Euston over unrelated incident
12:13 , Maryam Zakir-HussainThe Metropolitan Police said it had made two arrests at Euston Station of two people who had arrived for the Unite the Kingdom protest over an unrelated incident in Birmingham.
The force said: “Officers have made two arrests in the vicinity of Euston station.
“Two men, wanted on suspicion of GBH following an incident in Birmingham where a man was run over, were spotted arriving into London to attend the UTK protest.”
Watch: ‘Unprecedented’ police operation in capital as tens of thousands to protest
12:04 , Maryam Zakir-HussainStarmer’s independent adviser on antisemitism calls for march organisers to take ‘responsibility’ for what speakers say
12:02 , Kate DevlinLord Mann told the BBC’s Today programme that how the police manage the marches was “very important”.
But he added: “The organisers of the demonstration should ensure that the people that they platform, give a microphone to, in front of how many thousands of people... (they) have a responsibility to ensure that their speakers stay within the law."He added that that should be true "whether it is a far-right demonstration… Or any other demonstration”.
Protests begin in London
11:55 , Maryam Zakir-HussainHere are some more images at the two rival marches begin:
Corybn, Abbott, McDonnell
11:50 , Maryam Zakir-HussainFormer Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will join John McDonnell and Diane Abbott in today’s march to commemorate the Palestinian Nakba.
Mr Corbyn said: “It’s very important that we understand and remember the brutal history of the way the Palestinian people have been treated by the British before the Nakba...”
Meaning "Day of the Catastrophe", Nakba Day is when Palestinians mark the displacement of Palestinians that occurred around the Israeli Declaration of Independence and the 1948 war.
'Spreading hatred and division'
11:45 , Maryam Zakir-HussainThe justice secretary, David Lammy, has said the organisers of the Unite the Kingdom rally taking place today “are spreading hatred and division”.
Writing on X, he added: “They do not reflect the Britain I’m proud of.
“Peaceful protest is a fundamental right and one I will always protect. But if protest turns violent, we will act swiftly, with extra court capacity in place.”
The Unite the Kingdom march organisers are spreading hatred and division. They do not reflect the Britain I’m proud of.
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) May 16, 2026
Peaceful protest is a fundamental right and one I will always protect. But if protest turns violent, we will act swiftly, with extra court capacity in place.
'Those leading today’s march hate Britain'
11:36 , Maryam Zakir-HussainTreasury minister Torsten Bell has hit out at the Unite the Kingdom rally
Mr Bell, MP for Swansea West, messaged on X: "People march for many reasons.
"But those leading today’s march hate Britain.
"Hate our diverse country.
"Hate even more the fact that far right, bot fuelled social media clicks are not enough to overcome the reality of a decent country."
Images of the 'Unite the Kingdom rally
11:32 , Maryam Zakir-HussainWe have some images coming in of people gathering for the Unite the Kingdom rally
Protesters begin to gather
11:24 , Maryam Zakir-HussainPeople have started to gather in South Kensington ahead of a pro-Palestine counter-protest Tommy Robinson’s Unite the Kingdom rally.
In Exhibition Road, which houses entrances to the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Science Museum, protesters are carrying Palestine flags and signs reading “Stop the far right”.
The public on Tommy Robinson
11:10 , Maryam Zakir-HussainNationally, Tommy Robinson is seen negatively by 47 per cent of adults across all voter groups, compared to 17 per cent who have a positive opinion of him.
But, according to the recent poll for Politico by Public First, which questioned more than 2,000 people , 36 per cent of Reform UK voters have a “very” or “somewhat” positive view of Robinson. About as many Reform supporters — 31 percent — had a negative view of him.
'Unacceptable'
10:52 , Maryam Zakir-HussainJohn Rees from Stop the War, one of the organisers of the pro-Palestinian march, told Radio 4's Today programme said it happens on the same day every year, so it was unclear why the Unite the Kingdom march was allowed to also take place today as well.
The police response should have been that it was "unacceptable", he said.
The Met Police have said the force was already in discussion with Unite the Kingdom when the application for the Nakba Day march was made.
'We will not hesitate to prosecute'
10:38 , Maryam Zakir-HussainSpecialist police officers are also primed to take swift decisions to arrest and charge hate speech crimes at the marches
Director of public prosecutions (DPP) Stephen Parkinson said: "This is not about restricting free speech. It is about preventing hate crime and protecting the public, particularly at a time of heightened tensions.
"Where the line into criminality is crossed, we will not hesitate to prosecute."
'Tough!'
10:26 , Chris StevensonAhead of the march, Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, wrote in a post on X: "Today, we Unite the Kingdom and the West in the greatest patriotic display the world has ever seen.
"The establishment has shown their hands early, and clearly don't want the people united. Tough! It's happening!"
There are strict controls on where the march can go and and what time it must finish.
'We will never be divided'
10:12 , Maryam Zakir-HussainSir Sadiq Khan has said that London will ‘never be divided’ ahead of the Unite the Kingdom rally expected to be led by Tommy Robinson/
Around 4,000 officers are part of a huge public order operation involving armoured vehicles, armed police teams, helicopters, drones, dog teams, mounted police, and live facial recognition.
The Mayor of London posted on X: "One city. 9 million people. All of us Londoners. We will never be divided."
One city. 9 million people. All of us Londoners. We will never be divided. pic.twitter.com/CnM1wOwFQe
— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) May 16, 2026
New guidance on hate speech
10:10 , Maryam Zakir-HussainThe Crown Prosecution Service has outlined details of a crackdown on hate speech.
It said: "Prosecutors have been issued new legal guidance on the use of offensive banners, slogans, chants or symbols to recognise the changing context and increase in increase in hate crime attacks ahead of significant planned protests in London this weekend."
Prosecutors have been issued new legal guidance on the use of offensive banners, slogans, chants or symbols to recognise the changing context and increase in increase in hate crime attacks ahead of significant planned protests in London this weekend.https://t.co/ZOm1GDf260 pic.twitter.com/aXKxSWpry7
— Crown Prosecution Service (@CPSUK) May 15, 2026
Government blocks 11 foreign nationals from entering UK ahead of rally
09:42 , Maryam Zakir-HussainThe government has blocked 11 foreign nationals described by Sir Keir Starmer as “far-right agitators” from entering the UK ahead of the Unite the Kingdom rally.
Right-wing figures claiming to have been barred include Polish politician Dominik Tarczynski, Belgian politician Filip Dewinter, anti-Islam commentator Valentina Gomez and Dutch activist Eva Vlaardingerbroek.
Rally organisers face prosecution if speakers use events to propagate extremism or hate speech
09:41 , Maryam Zakir-HussainFor the first time under official protest restrictions, organisers of the rallies will face prosecution as well as any speakers who break the law by using the events as a platform for extremism or hate speech.
Live facial recognition will be used for the first time in a protest policing operation, with cameras set up in an area of Camden that is not on the route of the Unite the Kingdom march, but is expected to be used by a lot of people attending the event.
Armoured vehicles, police horses and helicopters deployed in £4.5 million operation
09:40 , Maryam Zakir-HussainArmoured vehicles, police horses, dogs, drones and helicopters will be deployed along with thousands of officers as the Met aims to avoid clashes between Tommy Robinson’s Unite the Kingdom march and the pro-Palestine Nakba Day rally.
Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman said the policing operation will cost the force £4.5 million, with £1.7 million being used on bringing in officers from other forces to boost numbers.
He said the operation was taking place against a backdrop of “continued global instability and tension”, increased antisemitism, concerns within Jewish and Muslim communities, and a severe terrorism threat level.
Officers preparing for 'unprecedented' security operation today
09:37 , Maryam Zakir-HussainThousands of police officers are preparing for an “unprecedented” security operation to avoid clashes between Tommy Robinson’s Unite the Kingdom march and the pro-Palestine “Nakba Day” rally in London.
Police estimate about 80,000 people will attend the marches, plus thousands of football fans will descend on the capital for the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, making it one of the busiest policing days in years.
