The London Metropolitan Police have handcuffed and forcibly removed English Defense League founder Tommy Robinson prior to the start of a march against antisemitism in central London.
According to Robinson, he had arrived at the rally to both report from the event and to show support for Jews and Israel.
In several videos posted to his social media, the activist can be seen talking with rally attendees who were supportive of him. But within a short time, videos posted showed police officers accosting and eventually handcuffing and removing him.
According to Robinson, he was pepper sprayed by officers and taken to a police station.
According to British broadcaster ITV, the Metropolitan Police had made clear in advance that he was “not welcome” at the march, with the force warning that any offenses “whether from within the protest or from any groups trying to challenge or interfere with the march” would be dealt with.
Earlier in the morning, the Met. Police wrote on X: "A dispersal order under Section 35 of the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act has been in effect since just after 10 am. It covers Westminster and parts of neighboring boroughs. Anyone told by an officer to disperse who fails to do so is liable to arrest."
Earlier in the month, Robinson posted on X: “Everyone should attend this and let British Jews know they are not alone.”
To this, the march organizers, the CAA, responded: “No thanks. The drunken far-right thugs who came to ‘protect the cenotaph’ on Armistice Day, some of whom shouted ‘Sieg Heil’ or hospitalized police officers, are most definitely not welcome.”
Robinson is a controversial figure in Britain due to his opposition to Islam and immigration and his work to fight alleged Muslim grooming gangs and other crimes in the country. He had previously been seen among the crowds of counter-protesters who clashed with police during pro-Hamas protests held in London on Armistice Day.