Thousands gather for the Tommy Robinson protest while the activist remains in custody

Thousands of Tommy Robinson supporters gathered in central London for a planned protest that the political activist lost after police remanded him in custody.

Demonstrators held placards reading “Keir started two rows with the riots” as they marched from Victoria station to Parliament Square on Saturday.

Demonstrators also held up “Bring back Rwanda” and “Stop the Boats” signs – some drinking cans and glasses of alcohol.

Two arrests were made at the demonstration, one on suspicion of breaching the conditions of the Public Order Act in force and an alleged breach of the peace, and another on suspicion of a public order offense of racism, the Police said City.

A counter-protest organized by Stand Up to Racism was also held in the capital, with thousands turning out after being inspired to “take to the streets” in a “massive anti-fascist demonstration”.

The protest was heard from speakers including Jeremy Corbyn, Diane Abbott and union general secretaries.

Two arrests were made near the Stand Up to Racism protest – one woman was arrested on suspicion of common assault – who was later released, and another was arrested after allegedly assaulting an officer, the force added.

And one arrest was made on suspicion of a racist public order offense after an alleged racist remark was directed at an officer, and the Met said it was not confirmed which protest the person was attending.

In a separate action, several hundred people gathered on the corner of Trafalgar Square for the United Families and Friends Campaign (UFFC) march to Downing Street, where a letter was delivered to Sir Keir Starmer, protesting deaths in custody.

Activists held signs reading “No justice”, “no one forgotten, no one forgiven” and “No to hate, no to fascism”, while others carried images of people they say have died in custody.

The family of Chris Kaba, who was fatally shot by police marksman Martyn Blake – who was cleared of murder on Monday – attended the UFFC march.

Robinson, 41, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is accused of being in contempt of court after he broadcast a film at a protest in Trafalgar Square in July.

He attended Folkestone police station on Friday where he was remanded ahead of a hearing at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday over allegations he breached a 2021 High Court order barring him from making any further unlawful allegations against a Syrian refugee on he successfully sued.

The broadcast of a film titled Silenced at the Trafalgar Square demonstration is understood to be one of six acts allegedly breaching the injunction between June and July.

The film is also placed at the top of his X account.

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

The Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police were supported by officers from other forces across the country for Saturday’s protests, and ahead of the protests the Met said there would be a “significant police presence” to ensure the his group apart.

Those who attended the protest organized by Robinson marched from Victoria station to the south end of Whitehall, and the counter-protest started at St James’s Regent Street and ended at the north end of Whitehall.

Many demonstrators at Robinson’s march raised Union and English flags – and several Make America Great Again flags in support of Donald Trump were also in the crowd.

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

A stage was set up in Parliament Street where speeches and musical performances took place as the producers chanted “We want Tommy out”.

Ukip interim leader Nick Tenconi was among the speakers at the demonstration.

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

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

He was released on unconditional bail in July and subsequently left the country, with Adam Payter, representing the Solicitor General, telling the High Court that there was “nothing to prevent him to do that”.

Judge Johnson issued a warrant for Robinson’s arrest but ordered that it not be done “until early October” to give Robinson time to indicate that he would voluntarily attend the next hearing or that he would apply to “set aside” the warranty.

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

He applied to set aside the warrant but Judge Johnson dismissed his application 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 “frustration” of police counter-terrorism powers.

He allegedly failed to provide his mobile phone access code 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 or involved in the commission, preparation or initiation of acts of terrorism”.

The person being detained can be detained for up to six hours, is legally obliged to answer questions and must provide the password or access number for electronic devices, or is considered to have committed a criminal offence. him if they refuse.

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