Far-right protesters have clashed with police close to the Cenotaph warfare memorial in London forward of a pro-Palestinian demonstration, which is anticipated to be one of many greatest ever held.
A big crowd of individuals carrying St George’s flags was seen strolling alongside Embankment and shouting “England ’til I die”.
A line of police tried to cease them from reaching Whitehall however the group pushed by way of, with some shouting “let’s have them” as officers responded with batons.
Bottles have been additionally thrown at police by the counter-demonstrators, a lot of whom have been sporting masks.
The confrontation occurred shortly earlier than the Armistice Day two-minute silence, when a whole lot of individuals gathered on the Cenotaph to commemorate the UK’s warfare lifeless at 11am.
The service handed off with out incident.
Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also referred to as Tommy Robinson, the founding father of the English Defence League, had known as for his supporters to mass within the capital.
Tommy Robinson speaks to police on the Cenotaph in Whitehall
He was among the many crowds together with former GB News presenters Laurence Fox and Calvin Robinson.
The Met Police posted on X, previously Twitter: “While the two minutes’ silence was marked respectfully and without incident on Whitehall, officers have faced aggression from counter-protesters who are in the area in significant numbers.”
The pressure stated it “will use all the powers and tactics available to us to prevent” the counter-protesters from confronting the principle march calling for a ceasefire in Israel’s warfare in opposition to the militant group Hamas.
There have been later additional clashes in Chinatown when missiles have been thrown at police, whereas a “large group” have been detained following bother at Westminster Tube station.
Trouble additionally flared in Chinatown
The principal pro-Palestinian demonstration, anticipated to be attended by 500,000 folks, had drawn criticism from the prime minister and residential secretary as a result of it coincided with remembrance occasions.
Suella Braverman had confronted accusations of inflaming tensions after accusing the police of “playing favourites” once they resisted strain to ban the principle pro-Palestinian march.
In the face of condemnation and requires Mr Sunak to sack her, Mrs Braverman subsequently expressed her “full backing” for the Metropolitan Police at a gathering with Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley.
But within the wake of the difficulty, London mayor Sadiq Khan wrote on X: “The scenes of disorder we witnessed by the far-right at the Cenotaph are a direct result of the home secretary’s words.
“The police’s job has been made a lot tougher.
“The Met have my full support to take action against anyone found spreading hate and breaking the law.”
Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf stated: “The far-right has been emboldened by the home secretary. She has spent her week fanning the flames of division. They are now attacking the police on Armistice Day.
“The residence secretary’s place is untenable. She should resign.”
More than 1,000 police officers have been drafted in from outside forces to monitor the march, with the Met saying 1,850 officers will be on duty on Saturday and 1,375 on Sunday.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said: “Our job is to make sure that we police with out worry or favour, that we stability the rights of everyone, be that protesters, counter-protesters, or folks dwelling or coming into London.
“And our job this weekend is to ensure that people are kept safe, and that is what my focus is on.”
Meanwhile, protests at quite a lot of London practice stations have been banned, with prohibition orders in place at Waterloo, Victoria and Charing Cross between 10am and 11pm on Saturday.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper, who authorized the transfer, stated: “Armistice Day is a moment of solemn national reflection in remembrance of those who have given their lives in service of our country. It’s important that people can use our rail network to safely travel, free from intimidation.”
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Source: information.sky.com”
