Tommy Robinson has addressed supporters at his ‘Unite the Kingdom’ event in London, described as a Christmas Carol service.
The far-right activist, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, invited his supporters to attend the ‘Putting the Christ back into Christmas’ service from 2pm outside Downing Street.
The Met Police confirmed an increased police presence in central London as they braced for a number of demonstrations on Saturday. Attendees were kept apart from a Stand Up To Racism counter protest by officers and a line of barriers.
Crowd listened to speakers on stage give readings and sing hymns, with chants of “Christ is King” and tributes to Charlie Kirk heard. Closing the event, Yaxley-Lennon said he used to “hate the church” but met a pastor in prison who taught him about the bible.
Bishops at the Diocese of Southwark said they are “gravely concerned” about the use of Christian symbols to “justify racism and anti-migrant rhetoric” ahead of the planned event.
Writing for The Independent, Right Reverend David Walker, the Bishop of Manchester, also hit out at fake claims that “Christmas has been cancelled” and criticised those seeking to politicise Christianity.
Key Points
- Robinson holds 'Unite the Kingdom' event described as Christmas service
- Increased police presence in London as Met braces for protests
- Bishops express concerns ahead of Robinson's 'carol service'
- Church of England issues ‘Christmas is for all’ message ahead of Robinson's event
- In pictures: Robinson's supporters gather for 'Christmas carol service'
What happened at Tommy Robinson's event earlier in the year?
18:41 , Athena StavrouThe Unite The Kingdom event was kept away from a counter protest organised by Stand Up To Racism in central London on Saturday.
Police suffered violence when the two groups faced off at the same spot on Whitehall earlier this year.
In September, Robinson organised a Unite The Kingdom rally in central London attended by between 110,000 and 150,000 people.
More than 150 reports of anti-Muslim hate were made to the Tell Mama charity monitoring the issue in the seven days following the rally.
Officers were assaulted as they faced “significant aggression” from protesters, the force said.
Projectiles were thrown by Robinson protesters towards the counter-demonstrators as thousands from both sides stared each other down on Whitehall.
Met Police issues update after event
18:25 , Athena StavrouThe Metropolitan Police has issued an update after today’s event.
Two arrests have been made overall. One person was arrested earlier in the day for an assault on a mounted officer in nearby Whitehall Place.
The second arrest was for a man suspected of directing homophobic abuse towards an officer at a previous protest.
The force said the road will now be opened as soon as it is safe to do so.
Today’s protests on Whitehall have now concluded. Stages and other infrastructure are being dismantled and the road will be opened as soon as it is safe to do so. pic.twitter.com/R07QFow3GX
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) December 13, 2025
Why are so many Tommy Robinson supporters turning to Christianity?
18:06 , Athena Stavrou
Why are so many Tommy Robinson supporters turning to Christianity?
Pictured: Tommy Robinson addresses crowds
17:41 , Athena Stavrou
Robinson says pastor in prison brought him 'closer to faith'
17:10 , Athena StavrouSpeaking to crowds at his Christmas service, Tommy Robinson said he used to “hate the church” but met a pastor in prison who taught him about the bible.
He told people gathered in Whitehall that “the way [the church]” has acted this week, is the reason that churches are empty.”
On Friday, Bishops at the Diocese of Southwark said they were “gravely concerned” about the use of Christian symbols to “justify racism and anti-migrant rhetoric” ahead of the planned event.
The far-right activist, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, said: “But as I started understanding the bible, and the pastor did lessons with me about the life of Jesus. I understood that Jesus would’ve stood against the establishment would’ve stood with the sinner.”
He added: “I’ve been on my own path and today, I’ve stood there and watched every second of this.
“Moments like this bring me closer to faith so I’d like to thank every one of you.”
Tommy Robinson closes Christmas Service.
17:04 , Athena StavrouTommy Robinson has addressed the crowds in Whitehall as he closed his Christmas Service.
The far-right activist, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, addressed the crowd after a service which lasted around two hours.
He said: “In 15-years of activism, hundreds of demonstrations, this is the most beautiful moment I’ve had in my life as an activist.”
Pictured: Crowds gather at Tommy Robinson 'Christmas service'
16:40 , Athena Stavrou
Charlie Kirk paid tribute to at event
16:23 , Athena StavrouTommy Robinson is live streaming his Unite the Kingdom Christmas carol event in Whitehall.
The event has seen a variety of speakers take to the stage, though Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is yet to.
Many speakers have spoken about their religious journeys, with numerous chants of “Christ is King”.
Another paid tribute to Charlie Kirk, who he called: “One of the men, a great man who bore witness to the faith, who served as a martyr bringing so many Christians into the US.
“This is the first Christmas we are observing without our great founder,” the Turning Point UK member added
“So many of us were inspired by the works and preachings of Charlie Kirk.”
Met Police issue update
15:59 , Athena StavrouThe Metropolitan Police have given an update on today’s gathering for Tommy Robinson’s “carol concert” event in Whitehal.
The force said one person was arrested earlier in the day for an assault on a mounted officer in nearby Whitehall Place.
But it said the event itself is proceeding without incident.
The Unite the Kingdom Christmas protest has begun in Whitehall and is proceeding without incident.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) December 13, 2025
There was one arrest earlier for an assault on a mounted officer in nearby Whitehall Place. pic.twitter.com/Nx4Eoxha0H
Christmas carol concert event underway
15:38 , Athena StavrouTommy Robinson’s “carol concert” event in Whitehall is underway.
There has been singing, speeches made, and bible readings.
Many in the crowd are dressed in British flags, with some singing along.
Robinson insists 'Unite the Kingdom' event is 'not a political protest'
15:05 , Tara CobhamTommy Robinson has insisted that his ‘Unite the Kingdom’ event on Saturday is“not a political protest” and is instead a “celebration”.
However, the gathering has still faced criticism from bishops in the Church of England.
Robinson's 'carol concert' gets underway in London as attendees kept apart from counter protest
14:48 , Tara CobhamThe ‘carol concert’ led by Tommy Robinson is now underway in central London.
Attendees were kept apart from a Stand Up To Racism counter protest on Whitehall by police and a line of barriers.
Officers faced violence when the two groups faced off earlier this year.
A priest sitting among the crowd shouted that Jesus had been a migrant.
“I’ve worked with lots of former offenders like Tommy Robinson,” she said, offering to speak to attendees about Christianity.
In pictures: Robinson's supporters gather for 'Christmas carol service'
14:38 , Tara Cobham
Increased police presence in London as Met braces for protests
14:34 , Tara CobhamThe Metropolitan Police has said there will be an increased police presence in central London on Saturday.
Tommy Robinson’s supporters are gathering for a ‘Unite the Kingdom’ event, while a counter protest organised by Stand Up To Racism is taking place among a number of other demonstrations.
The Met said in a statement issued on Friday: “There will be an increased police presence in central London tomorrow with a number of protests planned against a backdrop of an already very busy day in the run up to Christmas.”
Church of England issues ‘Christmas is for all’ message ahead of Tommy Robinson carols event
14:27 , Tara CobhamA senior bishop in the Church of England has hit out at fake claims that “Christmas has been cancelled” and criticised those seeking to politicise Christianity ahead of a carols event organised by anti-migrant activist Tommy Robinson.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has urged supporters of his Unite the Kingdom movement to “put the Christ back into Christmas” this Saturday with an outdoor event in Whitehall.
In a significant intervention, the Right Reverend David Walker, the Bishop of Manchester, has said it is “offensive” that people are “appropriating this great Christian festival of light triumphing over darkness as a prop in a dim culture war”.
Writing for The Independent, Dr Walker said: “Each year we see a rather strange tradition: familiar claims that somewhere, someone is trying to ‘ban’ Christmas.”
Read more here:
Church issues ‘Christmas is for all’ message ahead of Tommy Robinson carols rally
Bishops express concerns ahead of Robinson's 'carol service'
14:26 , Tara CobhamBishops at the Diocese of Southwark have said they are “gravely concerned” about the use of Christian symbols to “justify racism and anti-migrant rhetoric” ahead of a planned Tommy Robinson carol service in central London.
In a statement, they said that Christ has always been at the heart of Christmas, adding: “And those who claim him need to be serious about what he stands for.
“The authenticity of a person’s faith may be judged by their actions.”
They said that at the heart of the Christian faith is the belief that God created all people and that he loves everyone.
The statement continued: “Any co-opting or corrupting of the Christian faith to exclude others is unacceptable, and we are gravely concerned about the use of Christian symbols and rhetoric to apparently justify racism and anti-migrant rhetoric.
“We understand that there are many who may be swept up in movements like this who don’t necessarily buy in wholesale to what is being said.
“We would encourage them to think again, to consider what kind of world they want to be a part of – and to choose compassion and understanding over hostility and conflict.”
They added: “We are proud of our nation and our communities – and we know that we are better than this.”
Robinson holds 'Unite the Kingdom' event described as Christmas service
14:23 , Tara CobhamTommy Robinson is holding a ‘Unite the Kingdom’ event described as a Christmas Carol service in Whitehall.
The “Putting the Christ back into Christmas” service takes place from 2pm outside Downing Street, with music and readings from 3pm.
Organisers say it will be a peaceful and festive gathering and is not a political protest, featuring live music and opera singers.
