Bottles and flares were thrown at police officers as they faced “significant aggression” from protesters at a “freedom of speech festival” led by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, Scotland Yard said.
The force confirmed 26 officers were injured, including four who were seriously hurt, as the “Unite the Kingdom” protest drew crowds of up to 150,000 to Westminster on Saturday.
The injuries included broken teeth, a possible broken nose, a concussion, a prolapsed disc and a head injury, during a “very challenging day” for the Met Police.
Twenty-five people were arrested, with many more likely, following the tense protest, which ended shortly after more than a hundred helmeted officers backed by dozens of police horses rushed at Robinson’s supporters.
The Met Police later said it had cleared a group of protesters who had blocked the north end of Whitehall, creating a safe route for counter-protesters from Stand Up To Racism to leave the area.
Between 110,000 and 150,000 people were estimated by police to have gathered in Whitehall for the “Unite the Kingdom” event, which faced counter-protests by around 5,000 anti-racism campaigners.
The turnout had significantly exceeded the estimates of organisers and there had not been enough space for all the protesters in Whitehall and Parliament Square, leading the demonstration to spill out into other nearby areas.
A stage had been set up to hear a series of speeches from far-right personalities and politicians and the event included a surprise interview between Robinson and tech billionaire Elon Musk, who accorded with the overriding theme of the day by proclaiming the “destruction of Britain” because of “massive uncontrolled migration”.
The Tesla and X owner said on a video link there was something “beautiful” about being British and said “the left is the party of murder”, referencing the death of Charlie Kirk, who was shot dead in front of an audience at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.
Scotland Yard said confrontations broke out when large crowds did not follow police directions and when officers intervened to block their path, they were met with kicks and punches.
Bottles and flares were thrown while some protesters attempted to get past barriers, the force added.
At one point, officers were seen using their riot shields to push back protesters and help keep a “sterile area” between the two groups clear.
The force added officers continued to face aggression, particularly at the north of Whitehall, as they worked to create a safe exit route for those taking part in the Stand Up To Racism protest.
Projectiles were also thrown by Robinson protesters towards the counter-demonstrators as thousands from both sides stared each other down on Whitehall.
A line of police horses faced the sea of Union flags and at one point, a glass bottle appeared to smash against a horse, causing the horse and rider to stagger backwards.
Objects including a traffic cone, bottles and pieces of wood were thrown at a line of officers at another stage as they started to push demonstrators away towards the end of the protest.
Later, officers backed by mounted police pushed the remains of Robinson’s rally back further from Trafalgar Square and towards Embankment station.
At another stage, police were seen tending a man with blood pouring from a head wound at the top of Whitehall as tensions rose.
The new Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey and the Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan were quick to criticise the violence against the police.
As well as Musk, the protest featured speeches from Robinson and other activists, including former actor Laurence Fox and former Apprentice candidate Katie Hopkins.
It also featured far-right French politician Eric Zemmour, who came in fourth place in the first round of the 2022 French presidential election; leader of the Danish People’s Party Morten Messerschmidt; Petr Bystron of the far-right Alternative for Germany party; Polish right-wing politician Dominik Tarczynski; Belgian anti-immigration activist Filip Dewinter; and television personality Ant Middleton who is running to be Mayor of London.
The Met Police said more than 500 police officers had been brought in from other forces as Scotland Yard’s resources were stretched.
Five Premier League football matches took place on Saturday, including derbies between West Ham and Tottenham, and Brentford and Chelsea.
More than 1,600 officers will be deployed in total across the city.
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said that the 25 arrests made were “just the start” and that the Met Police was already identifying people involved in the disorder.
He said: “Officers went into today’s operation knowing it would be busy and potentially challenging. They policed without fear or favour and approached engagement with all protesters positively.
“There is no doubt that many came to exercise their lawful right to protest, but there were many who came intent on violence. They confronted officers, engaging in physical and verbal abuse and making a determined effort to breach cordons in place to keep everyone safe.
“The violence they faced was wholly unacceptable. 26 officers were injured, including four seriously – among them broken teeth, a possible broken nose, a concussion, a prolapsed disc and a head injury,
“The 25 arrests we have made so far is just the start. Our post-event investigation has already begun – we are identifying those who were involved in the disorder and they can expect to face robust police action in the coming days and weeks.
“I am hugely grateful to the officers who were deployed in central London today, to those on duty in all 32 boroughs responding to 999 calls and to the more than 500 colleagues from forces across England and Wales who stood alongside us in some very challenging circumstances.”
