Tommy Robinson was arrested under anti-terrorism laws

Tommy Robinson was arrested under anti-terrorism laws, according to his verified X account. His detention follows a complaint about a film allegedly shown to crowds at a march in central London on Saturday led by Mr Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley Lennon.

A post on X said: “We can confirm that Tommy Robinson has been detained by police using powers under the Terrorism Act 2000. That’s right, you read that correctly, Tommy is being detained by police using anti-terrorism legislation.

“We will update you as we can.”

Thousands gathered in central London for the march led by right-wing activist Tommy Robinson and a counter-protest. Around 1,000 police were sent to the streets of the capital to “keep the peace” amid Saturday’s demonstrations.

Nine arrests were made in connection with protests or events, including two men who were detained on suspicion of “assault at the level of GBH (grievous bodily harm)” after an attack on a counter-protester, the Metropolitan Police said. Supporters of Mr Robinson’s march gathered on the Strand at lunchtime on Saturday, waving flags and wearing clothes depicting the Union, English, Scottish and Welsh emblems.

The crowd could be heard chanting “Rule Britannia”, “We want our country back” and Mr Robinson’s name. One demonstrator was seen climbing a telephone box, while others held signs reading “Not to the right, just to the right”.

Several Israeli flags were also flying. Supporters moved from the Royal Courts of Justice to a rally in Trafalgar Square at around 12.45pm.

A man walked past the protest in the square holding a Palestinian flag and participants could be heard booing. Some tried to follow the person as she was escorted by a group of Met officers down Cockspur Street.

In a post shared on X, formerly Twitter, ahead of the event, Mr Robinson said the protest would be “the biggest patriotic rally the UK has ever seen”. Meanwhile, a counter-protest by Stand Up To Racism and former Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn’s Peace & Justice Project marched from Russell Square and to a rally in Whitehall.

It was supported by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and 11 trade unions, as well as groups such as the Stop the War Coalition, the Peace & Justice Project and Unite Against Fascism. Demonstrators held signs reading “no to racism, no to hate” and chanted “we will not be silent”.

The force said the two arrests were made after a Stand Up To Racism cohort participant was assaulted in Victoria Embankment Gardens. He suffered a head injury, was treated by officers and will be taken to hospital “to be checked over”.

“We are aware of some suggestions on social media that the arrests were related to carrying a flag, which is not the case,” he added. Four people have been arrested outside a Whitehall pub on suspicion of assaulting emergency workers. Four Met officers were assaulted.

A man was also detained on suspicion of criminal damage and a racially aggravated public order offense after allegedly tearing up a Palestinian flag and making a racially abusive remark, while another was arrested on suspicion of assaulted an emergency worker after a police officer was kicked, the force. said.

Police have already used their powers under the Public Order Act to try to keep rival groups apart amid fears of serious disruption. Chief Superintendent Colin Wingrove, who is in charge of this weekend’s operation, warned that police would “step in decisively” to deal with protesters who breach strict conditions on when and where they are allowed to demonstrate.

He said: “Our first priority is to keep the peace to ensure that those exercising their right to lawful protest can do so safely. We have proactively used our Public Order Act powers to manage the timing and routes of marches and assemblies, ensuring that groups are kept apart.

“Officers will act decisively to deal with any breaches of these conditions, to prevent crime and to respond to any other incidents.

“Everyone has the right to feel safe and secure in London. Those who abuse the right to protest in an effort to illegally intimidate others or use hate speech can expect to face police action.

“The police presence will be very visible and I would urge anyone in London, whether they are attending these events or not, to speak to an officer if they feel unsafe or wish to report an incident.”

There was also a Trans Pride event on Saturday, which included a march from Langham Place to Wellington Arch, where speeches were held. A member of the public was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a steward at the event, the Met said.

No conditions were imposed prior to the Trans Pride event.