Tommy Robinson marched with ‘massive’ crowds of supporters through central London today as counter-protestors mobilised in opposition in Whitehall.
Scotland Yard assured thousands of police officers had been drawn in to police the protests through the capital, with as many as 400 from forces outside London.
Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley Lennon, set off from Victoria around 1pm with a large group toting British flags and the Flag of St George, with views to march on Parliament Square. A livestream quickly amassed more than 100,000 views on X.
Police warned that groups from across the UK linked to football disorders were expected to attend the event, and imposed conditions requiring all those taking part to form up in an agreed area and stick to an agreed route to prevent ‘serious disruption or serious disorder’.
Mr Robinson posted a video on X in which he called for people to join him on the march and said it will be “massive”.
A static counter-protest, organised by Stand Up To Racism, will take place in Whitehall from midday.
People gather outside Victoria Station in London, ahead of a protest march organised by Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley Lennon
Conditions have been imposed on that protest requiring those taking part to remain in the allocated area in Whitehall which is the section opposite Downing Street, adjacent to Richmond Terrace.
Stand Up To Racism posted on its website saying they will “stand together against attempts to divide us”.
The Met Police said officers will be deployed “in significant numbers” to ensure those in Parliament Square and those in Whitehall do not come together.
More than 2,000 police officers will be on duty on Saturday, policing the protests as well as the Champions League Final at Wembley and related fan events, the force said.
The Champions League Final, between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid, kicks off at Wembley at 8pm.
The Uefa Champions League Festival, which is taking place across five central London locations including Trafalgar Square, began on Thursday and is set to continue until Sunday. It will be open in Trafalgar Square between 11am and 5pm on Saturday.
T/Commander Louise Puddefoot said: “Officers have been in discussion with the organisers of both protests in recent weeks. Our priority is to ensure those exercising their right to lawful protest, both in the main march and as part of the counter protest, can do so safely.
“Officers will police these demonstrations, as they always do, without fear or favour – keeping participants and the wider public safe, and responding decisively to criminal offences and any attempt to cause serious disruption.