Thousands of supporters of Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, assembled in central London for a “Free Tommy” rally. The demonstration began outside Waterloo Station and proceeded to Whitehall near Parliament Square. Participants called for Robinson’s release from his 18-month prison sentence, imposed in October for breaching a High Court injunction related to libellous allegations against a Syrian refugee.  

Concurrently, a counter-protest organised by Stand Up To Racism took place, advocating against racism and Islamophobia. The Metropolitan Police deployed officers to maintain order and keep the groups separate, resulting in six arrests for various offences, including setting off flares and breaching public order conditions.