Tommy Robinson protests London: 24 arrested as activists descend on capital

Free Tommy Robinson supporters and a Stand up to Racism demonstrators met yesterday afternoon

Olivia Tobin4 August 2019

Twenty-four were arrested on Saturday afternoon after a ‘Free Tommy Robinson’ march was staged in central London, police said.

Robinson’s supporters gathered in Oxford Circus as a counter demonstration planned by Stand Up To Racism also took place.

Officers said the 24 people were arrested on suspicion of a number offences, including possessing a weapon and assaulting a police officer, during the march in protest for the EDL founder’s freedom.

The Met did not specify from what protest people who were arrested were attending.

Counter-protesters from 'Stop Tommy Robinson' and 'Stand up to Racism' let off smoke canisters as they demonstrate

AFP/Getty Images

Supporters of the EDL founder carried England and Union flags and umbrellas with his name on them. They sang "we want Tommy out" as shoppers and tourists looked on.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police confirmed three men and one woman were arrested on suspicion assaulting a police officer.

Two men were arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly, two more were arrested for affray charges.

Police form a cordon between supporters of Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, AKA Tommy Robinson and counter-protesters from 'Stop Tommy Robinson' and 'Stand up to Racism'

AFP/Getty Images

One man was arrested on suspicion of possessing Class A Drugs, while another man was arrested on suspicion of carrying an offensive weapon.

A further 13 were arrested for breaching conditions the police had put in place for the rally.