Key events
Ben Quinn
Keir Starmer has described the far-right activist known as Tommy Robinson and others organising a major rally in London today as “individuals with long records of violence and extremism”.
As tens of thousands started their journeys into the city today ahead of the self-styled Unite the Kingdom (UTK) march, the prime minister used an article published on the website of LBC radio to again condemn Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.
“Their goal is to inflame and divide. And they are seeking the support of far-right agitators around the world to make that happen,” wrote Starmer, whose government has blocked 11 people, including a Polish far-right MEP, from coming to Britain ahead of the event.
“I refuse to stand by and allow that poison to be imported into the UK,” he added.
It emerged on Friday that another of those banned from coming to UK is Ezra Levant, a long time Canadian supporter of Robinson, who has been involved in the activist’s reinvention of himself as an online influencer and self-styled journalist.
Starmer used the same article to also issue a warning to those taking part in the pro-Palestine Nakba Day rally, which is also taking place today along a different route in London.
Prosecutors have been told to consider whether protest placards, banners and chants viewed on social media may amount to offences of stirring up hatred during the rallies.
The new guidance, issued before what police have described as an “unprecedented” security operation, urges prosecutors to assess whether slogans, symbols or chants may influence audiences online if they are filmed and shared.
Starmer wrote: “The cause of a Palestinian state is just and, alongside a safe and secure Israel, one that is recognised by this government.
“But on marches that support that cause, it is not hard to find individuals who abuse it to spread antisemitism and intimidate Jewish communities. And this is taking place against the backdrop of a deeply worrying rise in antisemitic incidents – including terrorist attacks. The end result is that British Jews feel unsafe in their own streets.”
4,000 officers on duty in London for large scale far-right and pro-Palestine protests
The Metropolitan police is preparing for what it described as potentially “one of the busiest days for policing in recent years” as tens of thousands of people are expected to descend on central London for two major demonstrations.
Armoured vehicles, horses, dogs, drones and helicopters will be deployed along with 4,000 officers to police the far-right Unite the Kingdom (UTK) rally organised by Stephen Yaxley Lennon, otherwise known as Tommy Robinson.
The Guardian understands officers will be granted extra powers to carry out a stop and search without requiring suspicion of an offence, which will also apply to the pro-Palestine Nakba Day rally taking place in a separate location to the UTK march.
At the same time, tens of thousands of football fans are expected at Wembley stadium for the FA Cup final.
For the first time at a demonstration, police will use live recognition cameras and organisers will be held personally responsible for the behaviour of the speakers they invite.
Deputy assistant commissioner James Harman said the “unprecedented” operation could cost the force £4.5m, adding that today “has the potential to be one of the busiest days for policing in London in recent years”.
Police estimate that about 50,000 people will attend the UTK rally, while the pro-Palestine march is expected to draw between 15,000 and 40,000 peope. The UTK rally last September overwhelmed expectations after more than 150,000 people flooded Parliament Square in Westminster.
Prime minister Keir Starmer said the rise of the far right represents “a fight for the soul of this country”, adding: “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.”
The Guardian’s police and crime correspondent, Vikram Dodd, has the full report here:
