UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has declared that his government will prevent “far-right agitators” from traveling to Britain ahead of a major rally linked to Tommy Robinson, scheduled for this Saturday in central London. The event, titled “Unite the Kingdom,” is expected to draw over 100,000 attendees, prompting heightened security measures and a significant deployment of Metropolitan Police officers, as reported by The Independent.
Starmer’s Strong Stance Against Hate
Speaking on Monday, Starmer characterized the planned demonstration as one “designed to confront and intimidate this diverse country.” He warned that the government would take decisive action against overseas figures attempting to participate. “That is why this Labour Government will block far-right agitators from travelling to Britain,” Starmer said. “We will not allow people to come to the UK, threaten our communities and spread hate on our streets.”
In response, Robinson posted a video on social media promoting the rally with the caption: “Unite The Kingdom rally chant. See you all on Saturday. Start packing your bags Keir.”
Preventive Measures Under Immigration Law
Under British immigration law, the Home Secretary has the authority to revoke or deny entry to individuals whose presence is deemed “not conducive to the public good.” Reports indicate that at least seven people have already been barred from entering the UK ahead of the march. Last month, US anti-Islam influencer Valentina Gomez was prohibited from entering Britain following criticism from MPs and campaign groups. Gomez had previously sparked controversy with provocative anti-Muslim stunts, including publicly burning a copy of the Quran. She had been expected to speak at the rally after appearing at a prior protest in September. Additionally, another right-wing US commentator, Joey Mannarino, claimed he was denied entry into the UK on public interest grounds.
Police Prepared for Large-Scale Demonstrations
The rally is set to coincide with a separate pro-Palestine demonstration marking Nakba Day, raising concerns about public order in London. Mark Rowley, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, previously stated that officers were “concerned” about the scale of the demonstrations and were considering what restrictions and powers might be necessary to maintain order. The previous “Unite the Kingdom” protest reportedly attracted between 110,000 and 150,000 participants.
Background on Tommy Robinson
Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has long been associated with anti-Muslim and anti-immigration campaigns in Britain. Over the years, he has repeatedly claimed that large-scale immigration threatens British identity and culture. The activist has frequently made inflammatory remarks about Muslims, opposed the construction of mosques, and argued that immigration has made British communities “unsafe.” Robinson has also been linked to several far-right demonstrations and controversies over the past decade, making him one of the UK’s most polarising political activists.
