Thousands gather for Tommy Robinson protest as activist remains in custody

Thousands of Tommy Robinson supporters have gathered in central London for a planned protest which the political activist will miss after being remanded in custody by police.

Demonstrators carried placards reading “Keir on two levels fueled riots” as they made their way from Victoria Station to Parliament Square on Saturday.

“Bring back Rwanda” and “Stop the boats” signs were also held up by demonstrators – some of whom were drinking cans and glasses of alcohol.

A counter-protest organized by Stand Up to Racism is also taking place in the capital, with supporters urged to “take to the streets” in a “massive anti-fascist demonstration”.

In a separate action, several hundred people gathered at the corner of Trafalgar Square for a United Families and Friends Campaign (UFFC) march to Downing Street to protest against deaths in custody.

Activists held signs reading “No justice”, “No one forgotten, nothing forgiven” and “No to hate, no to fascism”, while others carried pictures of people they say died in custody.

Family and friends of Chris Kaba, who was fatally shot by police shooter Martyn Blake – who was cleared of murder on Monday – were expected to attend the UFFC march.

Robinson, 41, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is accused of being on trial after showing a film at a Trafalgar Square protest in July.

He went to Folkestone police station on Friday, where he was arrested ahead of a hearing at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday over allegations he breached a 2021 High Court order banning him from repeating defamatory allegations against a Syrian refugee who successfully sued him.

The screening of a film, titled Silenced, at the Trafalgar Square demonstration is understood to be one of six actions alleged to have breached the order between June and July.

The film is also pinned to the top of his X account.

Robinson was charged separately on Friday with failing to provide police with his mobile phone passcode under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000, Kent Police said.

The Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police are being supported by officers from other forces across the country for Saturday’s protests, and the Met said there will be a “significant police presence” to ensure the two groups are kept separate.

Those taking part in the protest organized by Robinson marched from Victoria Station to the south end of Whitehall, while the counter-protest formed on Regent Street St James’s and is due to finish at the north end of Whitehall.

The Met said static rallies were expected at the end of both marches.

Many demonstrators in Robinson’s march flew Union and England flags — with several Make America Great Again flags in support of Donald Trump also in the crowd.

Some demonstrators wore “I am Peter Lynch” badges, a reference to a 61-year-old man who died in prison after being jailed for shouting abuse at riot police outside a hotel housing asylum seekers.

A stage was erected in Parliament Street with speeches and musical performances as demonstrators chanted “We want Tommy out”.

And before the march began there were chants of “Oh Tommy, Tommy” and “We want Starmer out”.

The PA news agency understands Robinson will be held in custody in Folkestone until his hearing on Monday.

He was released on unconditional bail in July and subsequently left the country, with Adam Payter, representing the Attorney-General, telling the High Court there was “nothing stopping him from doing so”.

Mr Justice Johnson issued a warrant for Robinson’s arrest but ordered that it not be executed “until early October” to give Robinson time to indicate that he will attend the next hearing voluntarily or apply “cancellation” of the mandate.

Robinson posted a video of himself arriving at Luton Airport on October 20 and said he was surprised he wasn’t arrested.

He applied for the warrant to be quashed, but his application was rejected by Mr Justice Johnson on Friday.

The separate charge under the Terrorism Act relates to his arrest in July at a port in Kent, where he was accused of “frustrating” police counter-terrorism powers.

He is alleged to have failed to provide his mobile phone passcode to officers at the Channel Tunnel in Folkestone.

Under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act, police are allowed to stop anyone passing through a UK port “to determine whether they may be involved in or concerned about the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism”.

The person who is detained can be detained for up to six hours, is required by law to answer questions and must provide the password or access number for the electronic devices or be detained for committing an offense if they refuse.

Robinson said he objected to a police request for his phone number because the device contained privileged information relating to an ongoing High Court case.