Carole Malone has slapped down a fellow journalist who dismissed people at Tommy Robinson’s “Unite the Kingdom” protest as “football types” many of whom were “on their third can of lager”. Author Paul Mason described the rally in London on Saturday as “far right” and observed there was a heavy police presence.
In a comment shared on X ahead of the protest, the writer said: “[W]ith my long experience of fascist public order situations I am [100%] certain this will kick off”. To which Daily Express columnist, Ms Malone, shot back in four words: “You vile[,] condescending snob!”.
Between 110,000 and 150,000 people turned out for the protest in central London, exceeding the estimates of the organisers. About 5,000 anti-racism campaigners mounted a counter-protest.
The protest became unruly as a small group of Mr Robinson’s supporters clashed with police officers who were trying to keep them and counterprotesters apart.
Several officers were punched, kicked and struck by bottles tossed by people at the fringes of the rally, according to the Metropolitan Police. Reinforcements with helmets and riot shields were deployed to support the 1,000-plus officers on duty.
At the time of writing, the Metropolian Police had confirmed 25 arrests were made for a range of offences including affray, violent disorder, assault and criminal damage.
There were injuries on both sides, with Scotland Yard confirming on Monday (September 15) that 26 officers were injured.
The march was billed as a demonstration in support of free speech. A rally at the end of the march saw rhetoric by influencers and several far-right politicians from across Europe aimed largely at the perils of migration.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and owner of the X platform, was beamed in by video, condemned the Labour Government and called for Parliament’s dissolution.
Supporters of Mr Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley Lennon, chanted crude refrains about Prime Minister Keir Starmer and also shouted messages of support for the slain US right wing activist Charlie Kirk.
Sir Keir faced calls on Monday to sanction Mr Musk after the multi-billionaire told the rally that violence is coming to Britain and they must fight or die.
Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Sir Ed Davey, urged Sir Keir and Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch to join him in condemning Mr Musk’s attempt “to sow discord and incite violence” on Britain’s streets and interfere with its democracy.
At the time of writing, Sir Keir had not commented directly on Mr Musk’s comments. He wrote on X that peaceful protest is core to Britain’s values.
He added: “But we will not stand for assaults on police officers doing their job or for people feeling intimidated on our streets because of their background or the color of their skin.”
Sir Keir said: “Britain is a nation proudly built on tolerance, diversity and respect. Our flag represents our diverse country and we will never surrender it to those that use it as a symbol of violence, fear and division.”
