This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwydezxl0xlo

The article has changed 21 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 14 Version 15
Police injured at Tommy Robinson's Unite the Kingdom rally in London Police hurt during Tommy Robinson's Unite the Kingdom rally in London
(32 minutes later)
Aerial video shows scale of ‘Unite the Kingdom’ protestAerial video shows scale of ‘Unite the Kingdom’ protest
Twenty-six officers were injured in central London while policing a march organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, which saw up to 150,000 take part in his "Unite the Kingdom rally". Twenty-six officers have been injured while policing a protest organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, which saw up to 150,000 people march through central London.
Tensions flared between some groups and officers who had bottles and other projectiles thrown at them, the Metropolitan Police said - adding that four officers had been seriously injured. Tensions flared at the Unite the Kingdom rally, with some protesters throwing bottles and other projectiles at police, the Metropolitan Police said – leaving four seriously hurt.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk was among those who spoke to protesters on Whitehall via videolink; while 5,000 people joined a nearby counter-protest organised by Stand Up To Racism. Tech billionaire Elon Musk spoke to protesters on Whitehall via videolink; while 5,000 people joined a nearby counter-protest organised by Stand Up To Racism.
The Met said 25 people had been arrested for a range of offences in what was described by one senior officer as "wholly unacceptable" violence. The Met said 25 people had been arrested for a range of offences in what it described as "wholly unacceptable" violence.
A huge policing operation was put in place in central London with the Met deploying 1,000 officers and drafting in an extra 500 officers from other forces including Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Devon and Cornwall. A huge policing operation was put in place in central London with the Met deploying 1,000 officers and drafting in an extra 500 from other forces including Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Devon and Cornwall.
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said officers had "policed without fear or favour", knowing it would be challenging. Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said they had "policed without fear or favour", knowing it would be challenging.
"There is no doubt that many came to exercise their lawful right to protest, but there were many who came intent on violence," he said."There is no doubt that many came to exercise their lawful right to protest, but there were many who came intent on violence," he said.
"They confronted officers, engaging in physical and verbal abuse and making a determined effort to breach cordons in place to keep everyone safe."
Mr Twist said officers had suffered broken teeth, concussion, a prolapsed disc, a head injury and a possible broken nose.Mr Twist said officers had suffered broken teeth, concussion, a prolapsed disc, a head injury and a possible broken nose.
"The 25 arrests we have made so far is just the start," he added as the Met vowed to identify those involved in disorder."The 25 arrests we have made so far is just the start," he added as the Met vowed to identify those involved in disorder.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned "those who have attacked and injured police officers".Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned "those who have attacked and injured police officers".
"Anyone taking part in criminal activity will face the full force of the law," she added."Anyone taking part in criminal activity will face the full force of the law," she added.
The Met Police deployed extra officers with protective equipment as well as police horses in central London
Around mid-afternoon, the two demonstrations were divided on Whitehall by lines of police officers.Around mid-afternoon, the two demonstrations were divided on Whitehall by lines of police officers.
While the rally began largely peacefully, the Met said some officers had been attacked while trying to keep the two groups apart.While the rally began largely peacefully, the Met said some officers had been attacked while trying to keep the two groups apart.
The number of people who attended the Unite the Kingdom protest "exceeded the estimates of organisers" which resulted in "insufficient space" to fit them all in Whitehall and Parliament Square. The Unite the Kingdom protest had "exceeded the estimates of organisers", the force said, which meant there was not enough space for them all in Whitehall and Parliament Square.
The force said large crowds ignored police directions and tried to get into secure areas and spots occupied by those participating in the Stand Up To Racism protest. Large crowds ignored police directions and tried to get into secure areas and spots occupied by those participating in the Stand Up To Racism protest.
"When officers intervened to block their path they were assaulted with kicks and punches" the Met said - adding that riot police, horses and dogs were used to keep the opposing groups apart. "When officers intervened to block their path they were assaulted with kicks and punches," the Met said - adding that riot police, horses and dogs were used to keep the opposing groups apart.
The Met also said people scaled fencing and scaffolding around Whitehall which put "themselves and others in danger".The Met also said people scaled fencing and scaffolding around Whitehall which put "themselves and others in danger".
The Met Police estimated around 110,000 were in Whitehall for the Tommy Robinson event and 5,000 for the counter-protestThe Met Police estimated around 110,000 were in Whitehall for the Tommy Robinson event and 5,000 for the counter-protest
At one point, a glass bottle appeared to smash against a horse, causing the animal and rider to stagger backwards.At one point, a glass bottle appeared to smash against a horse, causing the animal and rider to stagger backwards.
Scuffles broke out as police used batons to try and push back Robinson supporters gathered on the top of Whitehall and Trafalgar Square.Scuffles broke out as police used batons to try and push back Robinson supporters gathered on the top of Whitehall and Trafalgar Square.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, addressed the crowds at the "freedom of speech festival" where he criticised politicians for "parroting" his ideas.Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, addressed the crowds at the "freedom of speech festival" where he criticised politicians for "parroting" his ideas.
He also claimed UK courts had decided the rights of undocumented migrants superseded those of the "local community".He also claimed UK courts had decided the rights of undocumented migrants superseded those of the "local community".
Last month, the Court of Appeal overturned an injunction blocking asylum seekers being housed at The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex.Last month, the Court of Appeal overturned an injunction blocking asylum seekers being housed at The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex.
Earlier, huge crowds massed near Waterloo Station with people wearing and waving union flags and the St George crossEarlier, huge crowds massed near Waterloo Station with people wearing and waving union flags and the St George cross
Making a surprise appearance via videolink, Musk spoke about "massive uncontrolled migration" and called for a "change of government" in the UK.Making a surprise appearance via videolink, Musk spoke about "massive uncontrolled migration" and called for a "change of government" in the UK.
"Something's got to be done," Musk said as he was interviewed by Robinson. "Something's got to be done," Musk said, as he was interviewed by Robinson.
"There's got to be a dissolution of Parliament and a new vote held.""There's got to be a dissolution of Parliament and a new vote held."
TV presenter Katie Hopkins also spoke on stage after earlier appearing alongside Robinson, Lawrence Fox and Ant Middleton at the front of the march at the start near Waterloo station. TV presenter Katie Hopkins also spoke on stage after earlier appearing alongside Robinson, Lawrence Fox and Ant Middleton at the front of the march near Waterloo station.
At the Stand Up To Racism rally, independent MP Diane Abbott told demonstrators: "We know racism and violence and fascism is not new. Nearby, at the Stand Up To Racism rally, independent MP Diane Abbott told demonstrators: "We know racism and violence and fascism is not new.
"But you know what? We have always defeated that racism and violence.""But you know what? We have always defeated that racism and violence."
Robinson brought his stage events to a close just after 18:30 and promised another such event.Robinson brought his stage events to a close just after 18:30 and promised another such event.
The 42-year-old was released from prison earlier this year after being jailed in October for ignoring an order not to repeat false claims about a Syrian refugee, who had successfully sued him for libel.The 42-year-old was released from prison earlier this year after being jailed in October for ignoring an order not to repeat false claims about a Syrian refugee, who had successfully sued him for libel.
Counter protesters were also set to march through central London, ending up near Robinson's demonstrationCounter protesters were also set to march through central London, ending up near Robinson's demonstration
Additional reporting by Daniel Sandford, Nick Johnson and Maia Davies.Additional reporting by Daniel Sandford, Nick Johnson and Maia Davies.