Britain will not ‘surrender’ flag to become symbol of violence and division, Starmer says
Keir Starmer issues defiant response following Unite the Kingdom rally
- Tommy Robinson's "Unite The Kingdom" rally in London drew between 110,000 and 150,000 attendees, resulting in 26 police officers being injured and 24 arrests for various offences.
- Sir Keir Starmer rejected the country's flag being used as a symbol of "violence, fear and division" and stated the government would not tolerate assaults on police officers.
- The Prime Minister affirmed the right to peaceful protest but condemned assaults on police and intimidation, asserting that the British flag represents a diverse and tolerant nation.
- Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned the violent scenes, while Business Secretary Peter Kyle called the protest a "klaxon call" for MPs to address public concerns like immigration and community division.
- Elon Musk made a guest appearance at the rally, urging protesters to "fight back" and calling for a change in UK government, comments which Peter Kyle described as "totally inappropriate".