Keir Starmer vowed to never surrender the Union flag to those using it to sow violence, fear and division’ today after tens of thousands attended a violent Tommy Robinson demo in London.
The Prime Minister broke his silence this afternoon, saying the country ‘will not stand’ for assaults on police officers after 26 were injured – four seriously – in clashes with right wing protesters.
Between 110,000 and 150,000 people turned out for the protest, significantly exceeding the estimates of organisers, for a demo yesterday which saw a virtual speech from Elon Musk.
While the rally began largely peacefully as demonstrators voiced their anger over free speech and Britain’s small boats crisis, it exploded into violence when protesters and counter-protesters closed in on each other along Whitehall.
Met Police chiefs blasted anti-migrant protesters for displaying a ‘wholly unacceptable’ level of violence.
The force said it faced ‘significant aggression’ from protesters as officers attempted to police the event, with many assaulted and peppered with missiles.
The Prime Minister posted on X: ‘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.
‘Britain is a nation proudly built on tolerance, diversity and respect.
‘Our flag represents our diverse country and we will never surrender it to those that use it as a symbol of violence, fear and division.’
The Prime Minister broke his silence this afternoon, saying the country ‘will not stand’ for assaults on police officers after 26 were injured – four seriously – in clashes with right wing protesters.
Between 110,000 and 150,000 people turned out for the protest, significantly exceeding the estimates of organisers, for a demo which saw a virtual speech from Elon Musk.
Twenty-four people were arrested for a range of offences including affray, violent disorder, assault and criminal damage.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned the violent scenes on Saturday and vowed that anyone ‘taking part in criminal activity will face the full force of the law’.
A Cabinet minister this morning said the protest was a ‘klaxon call’ for MPs to address immigration and other public concerns.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle said the Government is determined to ‘start to bring communities back together again’ in light of the fractious scenes, but he conceded so far it is ‘something that we have not solved’.
‘There are communities that are being driven further apart, and there are figures such as Tommy Robinson that is able to touch into a sense of disquiet and grievance in the community in our society.
‘A lot of it goes back to its roots in the financial crisis and the impact that had on communities around the country, and we haven’t been able to bring our communities back together again since.
‘I think these are moments that are klaxon calls to us in public life to redouble our efforts to address the big concerns that people right across our country have, and immigration is a big concern,’ he told BBC’s Sunday Morning With Laura Kuenssberg.
The protest featured a guest appearance from Tesla and X owner Elon Musk, who called for an urgent change in government in the UK and told protesters to ‘fight back’ or ‘die’.
Twenty-four people were arrested for a range of offences including affray, violent disorder, assault and criminal damage.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned the violent scenes on Saturday and vowed that anyone ‘taking part in criminal activity will face the full force of the law’.
Mr Kyle described the tech billionaire’s comments as ‘slightly incomprehensible’ and ‘totally inappropriate’.
He added: ‘But what we saw yesterday was over 100,000 people who were expressing freedom of association, freedom of speech, and proving that both of those things are alive and well in this country.’
Police are hunting a man filmed calling for Sir Keir to be assassinated during the march.
In an interview with ex-Tory councillor and conspiracy theorist William Coleshill, the protester was recorded saying: ‘Keir Starmer needs to be assassinated, someone needs to shoot Keir Starmer.’
Coleshill pushed back, replying that Starmer should instead face trial and be ‘lawfully executed.’
The footage, shot among the 110,000 people who joined yesterday’s march, has triggered widespread condemnation online.
Social media users demanded the protester’s arrest, with one posting: ‘A jail sentence is in the post for this chump!’ Another wrote: ‘Hope the Met get this man.’
Scotland Yard confirmed officers are investigating the video, but said no arrests have yet been made.
A spokesperson said: ‘We’re aware of a video circulating on social media from the ‘Unite the Kingdom’ protest on Saturday, 13 September in central London.
‘Officers are investigating and enquiries are ongoing to identify a man. No arrests have been made so far.
