PM Keir Starmer Defends Right to Protest but Condemns Violence at Massive Anti-Immigration March

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has defended the public’s right to protest peacefully following a massive anti-immigration demonstration in central London, but strongly condemned the violence that broke out during the event. The rally, organized by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, drew an estimated 110,000 people on Saturday one of the largest right-wing gatherings in the UK in modern times.
“People in this country have a right to peaceful protest,” Starmer said during a Sunday press briefing. “But that right ends the moment violence begins.” He specifically denounced the assaults on police officers and the abuse directed at counter-protesters, calling such behavior “a threat to public safety and democratic values.”
While affirming the right to expression, Starmer emphasized that “Britain is built on tolerance and diversity,” and warned against the use of nationalist symbolism to incite fear or division.
Protest and Violence
The march, branded as the “Unite the Kingdom” rally, stretched across central London and prominently featured flags of England, the United Kingdom, and a noticeable presence of supporters wearing “MAGA” hats and nationalist slogans. While the main event remained peaceful for much of the day, violence erupted when groups of demonstrators attempted to break past police lines and confront counter-protesters.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed 26 officers were injured, with four suffering serious injuries. At least 25 individuals were arrested for offences including assaulting officers, disorderly conduct, and unlawful possession of weapons. More arrests are expected as authorities continue to review video footage from the protest.
The force said it had made “extensive efforts” to keep rival groups apart, including designated protest zones, but acknowledged that “some protesters deliberately sought confrontation.”
Tommy Robinson’s Message
Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, addressed the crowd near Whitehall, repeating long-standing anti-immigration themes and claiming the UK was being “erased” through multiculturalism. He framed the protest as a fight for free speech and national identity and encouraged supporters to resist “globalist” agendas.
Robinson’s rhetoric, combined with foreign endorsements from right-wing figures like Éric Zemmour and Elon Musk, who both spoke via video link, has raised concerns among lawmakers and civil rights groups about the mainstreaming of extremist ideologies under the banner of free expression.
Counter-March and Political Fallout
A smaller counter demonstration organized by Stand Up to Racism attracted around 5,000 participants, who marched peacefully through the city under the slogans “Refugees Welcome” and “Smash the Far Right.” Though the two groups were kept apart for most of the day, isolated skirmishes occurred as some right wing marchers tried to breach barriers and reach counter-protest areas.
Opposition parties, including the Liberal Democrats and the Scottish National Party, have called for an inquiry into the scale and policing of the demonstration, as well as the involvement of known extremist groups.
Prime Minister Starmer has resisted calls for tighter protest restrictions but said his government is “monitoring” online radicalization and far-right organizing efforts. He urged public figures to avoid inflaming tensions and to reaffirm the nation’s commitment to “equality under the law, mutual respect, and civil order.”
Broader Context
The protest follows months of increasingly heated debate over immigration in Britain. The Labour government is under pressure from both the right and left: conservatives are pushing for tighter border enforcement, while rights groups and some Labour MPs have urged compassion in response to asylum seekers and rising displacement due to global conflicts.
The rally also reflects wider European and global trends, where far-right populist movements have been capitalizing on concerns about national identity, economic insecurity, and cultural change.