Police and protesters clash at ‘Unite the Kingdom’ rally
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Elon Musk has told Tommy Robinson that protesters must “either fight back or you die” as he appeared via video at the huge march organised by the far-right figure in London today.
The Metropolitan Police said nine people have been arrested so far, with many more likely, after officers were assaulted in scenes of “unacceptable violence”, as around 110,000 people were estimated to have joined the “Unite the Kingdom” rally.
In conversation with Robinson on stage in the afternoon, Musk also claimed a “dissolution of parliament” and a “change of government” is needed in the UK.
The crowd responded to his appearance with cheers and chants of “Elon Musk” and “Elon”.
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has condemned Elon Musk, stating that he “doesn’t care about the British people or our rights. He only cares about himself and his ego.”
The Met said around 5,000 people were at an anti-racism counter-protest organised by Stand Up To Racism (SUTR), with over 1,000 officers deployed in a bid to prevent clashes, and barriers in place to keep a large “sterile area” between the two groups.
Meanwhile, prime minister Keir Starmer was spotted in the stands at the Emirates Stadium in London on Saturday. He and his son watched his favourite football team Arsenal play against Nottingham Forest in a Premier League match, while the protester violence erupted elsewhere in the city.
Lib Dem leader Ed Davey condemns Elon Musk
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has condemned Elon Musk, stating that the Tesla boss “doesn’t care about the British people or our rights”.
Mr Davey said: “Our democracy is too precious to be a plaything for foreign tech barons.
“Elon Musk doesn’t care about the British people or our rights. He only cares about himself and his ego.”
Tara Cobham13 September 2025 18:57
Elon Musk tells Tommy Robinson protesters ‘fight back or die’
Elon Musk has told Tommy Robinson that protesters must “either fight back or you die” as he appeared via video at the huge march organised by the far-right figure in London today.
Musk told the rally: “My appeal is to British common sense, which is to look carefully around you and say ‘If this continues, what world will you be living in?’
“This is a message to the reasonable centre, the people who ordinarily wouldn’t get involved in politics, who just want to live their lives. They don’t want that, they’re quiet, they just go about their business.
“My message is to them: if this continues, that violence is going to come to you, you will have no choice.
“You’re in a fundamental situation here. Whether you choose violence or not, violence is coming to you.
“You either fight back or you die, that’s the truth, I think.”
Elon Musk has told Tommy Robinson that protesters must ‘either fight back or you die’ (Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
Tara Cobham13 September 2025 18:48
Robinson supporters blocking counter-protesters now been moved, Met says
A group of Tommy Robinson supporters who had blocked counter-protesters from leaving Whitehall have been moved, the Metropolitan Police said.
In a statement on social media, Scotland Yard said: “Officers have cleared the group of Unite the Kingdom protesters who had blocked the north end of Whitehall, creating a safe route for the Stand Up To Racism protesters to leave Whitehall.
“The northern end of Whitehall is now empty.”
The “Unite the Kingdom” rally has overrun the 6pm cut off time imposed by police under the Public Order Act, while the Stand Up To Racism counter protest had been due to finish at 4pm.
Tara Cobham13 September 2025 18:46
Robinson brings stage events to close by promising another event
Tommy Robinson brought the stage events to a close at just after 6.30pm by promising another such event.
Apologising to several people who did not have time to speak, including former MP Tory Andrew Bridgen, he said: “We’re going to have to come back and finish this off.”
Tara Cobham13 September 2025 18:45
Band ‘looking into options’ after song used by Robinson ‘without permission’
The singer of indie band James says the group is examining their options after their smash hit Sit Down was used in a video posted by Tommy Robinson, highlighting the size of the protest.
He wrote on X: “Disgusted to see the cynical use of ‘Sit Down’ by @TRobinsonNewEra
“No permission was granted, and we are looking into our options.
“The song and most of our topical lyrics, make it very clear where we stand, and it’s the antithesis of this organization.”
Tara Cobham13 September 2025 18:43
Speeches and music continues on stage in Whitehall past 6pm cut off time
Speeches and music continued on the stage in Whitehall past the 6pm cut off time imposed by police.
Away from that crowd, a line of officers stood beneath a tunnel outside Embankment station, while men wearing St George’s flags shouted “wankers” and spat down at them from one of the Golden Jubilee footbridges at around 6pm.
One man heckled through a megaphone and others could be heard shouting “wankers” at the police line below.
The officers on foot were supported by at least seven police vans and were not allowing people through the road or to the station.
Tara Cobham13 September 2025 18:29
Who is Tommy Robinson: From apprentice aircraft engineer to right-wing activist
Tommy Robinson is an angry man: angry at Islam and migration into Britain, angry at the BBC and “mainstream media”. He claims to be angry over antisemitism. He’s often angry about the way police have treated him.
He’s confessed to wasting money on alcohol and partying while receiving thousands of pounds in donations; he’s been in court and in prison – and yet he has huge numbers of devoted followers online.
Tara Cobham13 September 2025 18:21
Starmer spotted watching Arsenal at Emirates Stadium as protester violence erupts
Keir Starmer was spotted at the Emirates Stadium in London on Saturday, as violent clashes broke out between police and demonstrators in the centre of the city.
The prime minister and his son were seen in the stands watching his favourite football team Arsenal play against Nottingham Forest in a Premier League match.
Keir Starmer was spotted at the Emirates Stadium in London on Saturday (Action Images via Reuters)
Tara Cobham13 September 2025 18:08
Hundred helmeted officers and dozens of police horses rush at Robinson supporters
More than a hundred helmeted officers on foot, backed up by dozens of police horses, have rushed at Tommy Robinson supporters – backing them along Northumberland Avenue and towards Embankment station.
The horses moved at speed down the road at around 5.45pm.
Some protesters – now largely dispersed – faced them carrying flags.
Tara Cobham13 September 2025 17:57
Protesters now being moved out of Whitehall
Further scuffles are taking place between police and Tommy Robinson supporters as they move the group out of Whitehall.
Objects including a traffic cone, bottles and pieces of wood were thrown at the line of officers as they started to push the group back towards Trafalgar Square and Northumberland Avenue at around 5.25pm.
Earlier, one man shouted “this is what England has become” as he was handcuffed at the front of the crowd of Tommy Robinson supporters.
Officers rushed him to the side of Whitehall where he was detained and then walked, bent-double, to a police van.
Police have so far made nine arrests (AFP via Getty Images)
Alex Ross13 September 2025 17:41
