Thousands of Tommy Robinson Supporters Rally in London Amid Controversy and Police Presence

On Saturday, thousands of supporters of the far-right activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, gathered in central London for a rally dubbed the “Unite the Kingdom” march. The event was marked by chants of “Oh Tommy, Tommy” and the waving of union flags, despite Robinson’s absence due to his recent arrest by law enforcement on Friday.

Robinson is set to appear at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday to address allegations that he breached a 2021 High Court ruling. This ruling prohibited him from making defamatory statements about a Syrian refugee who had successfully sued him for libel.

The Metropolitan Police mounted a significant operation to manage the protest, which began marching over an hour earlier than scheduled. The police presence was heavy, reflecting the potential for conflict between the protesters and a counter-protest organized by Stand Up to Racism. The counter-protesters, who were reportedly in even larger numbers, aimed to oppose the far-right rally.

The rally and subsequent marches through central London were part of a broader demonstration of support for Robinson, who has been a controversial figure in British politics due to his views on immigration and Islam. The event highlighted the ongoing tensions between far-right groups and anti-racist activists in the UK.