UK Prime Minister Condemns Violence at Far-Right Anti-Immigration Demonstrations

UK PM Starmer Condemns Violence at London’s Far-Right Anti-Immigration Rally.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Sunday condemned the violence and intimidation witnessed during Saturday’s massive far-right protest in central London, declaring that the UK “will not stand for assaults on police officers or for people feeling intimidated because of their background or the colour of their skin.”

The rally, called Unite the Kingdom and led by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, drew as many as 150,000 people—described by experts as possibly the largest far-right gathering in British history.

In a post on X, Starmer said: “People have a right to peaceful protest. It is core to our country’s values. But we will not stand for assaults on police officers doing their job or for people feeling intimidated on our streets because of their background or the colour of their skin.” He added that Britain was “a nation proudly built on tolerance, diversity and respect” and vowed not to let extremists “surrender our flag as a symbol of violence, fear and division.”

The protest turned violent as clashes erupted with police, who reported 25 arrests and 26 injured officers, four of them seriously. Many demonstrators carried anti-immigration slogans and were draped in British and English flags. Around 1,000 officers were deployed to contain the crowds and to keep them apart from a nearby anti-racism march of about 5,000 people organised by Stand Up to Racism.

Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said that while many attended peacefully, “there were many who came intent on violence.”

The rally featured high-profile far-right figures from Europe and North America, including French politician Eric Zemmour and German MP Petr Bystron of the AfD. Elon Musk also addressed the crowd via video, making inflammatory remarks accusing the left of “celebrating murder” and warning that “violence is coming to you… you either fight back or you die.”

Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, branded the event a “free speech festival.” Referencing US activist Charlie Kirk, killed earlier this year, he told supporters: “This one is for you Charlie Kirk.”

Placards reading Stop the Boats were visible throughout the rally, with some demonstrators directly targeting Labour and Starmer in their chants and slogans.