A visibly angry Diane Abbott launched an attack on Tommy Robinson supporters, branding them “fascists and racists” at a counter-demonstration today.
Thousands of the right-wing activist’s supporters today marched through London towards Whitehall for a “Uniting the Kingdom” rally amid a heavy police presence.
A counter-protest organised by Stand Up to Racism has also seen thousands of its supporters descend on the capital.
The Labour MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington’s hand shook as she gave a speech saying that there were more people on the counter-demo.
She said: “So here we are, once again, on the streets against the racists and the fascists and it is something we have had to do for decades, but for decades we have won, and we and we are going to win this time around.
“We are here to show the fascists that there are more of us than there are of them and we are determined that they shall not pass.”
Speaking to a crowd that included many people holding Palestinian flags, she also took a swipe at her party leader Sir Keir Starmer over his stance on the Israel-Hamasconflict.
She said: “These are dark times – 42,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza and Biden and Starmer have the nerve to say to the Israelis, ‘don’t kill too many’… you know what? If they want to end the war they could stop sending missiles to Israel.”
She also branded the police “above the law” after the officer who shot Chris Kaba dead during a police chase was cleared of his murder by a jury this week.
Mr Robinson was not at today’s march after he was yesterday remanded in custody ahead of his appearance at the High Court on Monday for a civil case where he is accused of breaching an injunction connected to an earlier defamation case won by a Syrian refugee.
An admin running his X account in the meantime posted ahead of the march: “Remember to keep things respectful and peaceful, do not rise to provocation.
“If you see anyone attempting to provoke a reaction get them on camera, advise stewards and/or security about them. Let’s make Tommy proud today.”
