Hundreds of far-right demonstrators gathered at the gates of Downing Street over the weekend to protest against the arrest and detention of the prominent Islamophobe Tommy Robinson.
Robinson was arrested on suspicion of breaching the peace while filming outside Leeds Crown Court on Friday and is currently being detained. His supporters say he was covering the verdict of a child grooming trial.
The 35-year-old was seen being led towards the back of a police van and searched in footage posted on YouTube.
During footage of the arrest on Friday, Robinson tells the camera: “I’m being arrested for breach of the peace.” He asks one supporter as he is led away: “Can you get me a solicitor? I’m on a suspended sentence, you see.”
One officer in the footage says before reading Robinson his rights: “You are being arrested on suspicion of causing a breach of the peace.”
Furious followers, mainly white men, can be heard in videos of Saturday’s demonstration singing Robinson’s name. Footage shows one man being lifted atop of gates before turning to the crowd and pumping his fist, while others chant “shame on you” to authorities.
Members of the crowd can be seen holding aloft “#FreeTommy” signs or waving flags, including the St George’s Cross, the Union Jack and the Ukip logo.
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At least one protester was seen carrying a “White Lives Matter” placard. Footage of the demonstration showed some of those present involved in minor scuffles with police.
The protest later moved to Parliament Square but the Met Police said there had been no arrests.
Online, meanwhile, some 70,000 people have signed a petition calling for Mr Robinson to be freed.
Robinson founded the English Defence League in Luton in 2009 before resigning in 2013.
The organisation was responsible for violent marches on the streets where members clashed with police and counter-demonstrators.
