London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – A march by Tommy Robinson supporters from Victoria railway station to Parliament is underway.
Tommy Robinson supported the Unite The Kingdom march despite being unable to attend after being remanded in custody. The anti-Muslim campaigner’s followers were heard vocalising “Oh Tommy, Tommy” and “We want Starmer out” ahead of the rally. The protest faces resistance from a planned counter-protest arranged by Stand Up to Racism, which has called for “a massive anti-fascist demonstration” and exhorted supporters to “take to the streets.”
What led to Tommy Robinson’s remand in custody?
Robinson is blamed for being in contempt of court after the airing of a film at a demonstration in Trafalgar Square in July. He attended Folkestone police station where he was remanded ahead of a hearing at Woolwich Crown Court concerning allegations that he violated a 2021 High Court order banning him from repeating libellous allegations against a Syrian refugee who successfully sued him.
It is comprehended the airing of a film, titled Silenced, at the Trafalgar Square demonstration is one of six acts alleged to have violated the injunction between June and July.
How are police managing protests and counter-protests?
Robinson was separately indicted for failing to deliver his mobile phone access code to police under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000, Kent Police stated. The Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police are due to be backed by officers from other forces across the country for the protests, and the Met expressed there will be a “significant police presence” to ensure the two groups are kept separate.
The protest arranged by Robinson is due to march from Victoria station to the southern end of Whitehall, while the counter-protest will start at Regent Street St James’s and finish at the northern end of Whitehall. The Met stated static rallies are expected at the end of both protests.