Thousands of anti-racism protesters demonstrate outside Reform UK headquarters

Thousands of anti-racism protesters gathered outside the headquarters of Reform UK on Saturday criticising Nigel Farage's "dangerous rhetoric"

Around 5,000 people joined the Stand up to Racism march that moved around central London in response to the far-right unrest that has rocked the UK in recent weeks.

While outside the building in Victoria, central London, the demonstrators chanted support for refugees before marching through Whitehall and towards Trafalgar Square to listen to speeches from activists.

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Samira Ali, who was one of the speakers at the march, said the organisers had chosen Reform UK’s headquarters as the starting point for the demonstration because of Farage’s stance on immigration.

She said: “We were protesting outside of Reform UK, against the likes of Nigel Farage and his dangerous rhetoric.

“The constant rhetoric about ‘stop the boats’, about immigration being a problem, about refugees and Muslims being to blame in society. This is all rhetoric that’s been replicated on the far-right riots. That’s created the toxic atmosphere in which the far right have been able to build."

Thousands of anti-racism protesters have gathered in Whitehall in support of refugees and rejecting the far-right violence that has rocked the UK in recent days.

Anti-racist group Stand Up to Racism announced earlier in the week that Saturday would be a "national day of protest" in "every town and city" in response to planned anti-immigration protests.

Police were present for the march but officers said no arrests had been made but some people were moved on.

Across the UK

About 15,000 people are taking part in an anti-racism rally in Belfast, following a week of unrest and disorder in the city. The demonstration began at Writer’s Square and made its way to City Hall where speeches are taking place.

Hundreds of anti-racism demonstrators have gathered at rallies in Edinburgh and Glasgow after violent disorder erupted elsewhere in the UK.

Demonstrators carried placards and banners displaying slogans such as “No to racism” and “Refugees welcome: Stop the far right”.

There was a similar-sized protest outside the Bullring in Birmingham amid a small West Midlands Police presence.

Amid rumours of further far-right demonstrations set to take place on Saturday several large groups gathered to counter them in Liverpool, Bristol and Brighton.

A week of unrest

Following the unrest that rocked the UK in recent weeks police have kept a heavy presence in some areas in anticipation of more of a repeat of the scenes that have shocked the country.

Northumbria Police has implemented a number of extra-legal powers on Saturday ahead of potential planned protest activity in the region, including in Newcastle.

Merseyside Police said on Saturday that two more people have been charged following the violent disorder in Southport and Liverpool, bringing the total number of people charged to 24.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urged police to stay on "high alert" as he chaired an emergency Cobra meeting on Thursday in the wake of violence on the streets of the UK.

Incidents of violent unrest have spread across the country following the fatal stabbings of three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club in Southport last week.

Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, were fatally stabbed died when a knifeman entered a dance class on Hart Street in Southport.

Prison sentences and community orders have been handed to individuals involved in violent disorder across the United Kingdom.

The move, seen as a stern warning to potential offenders, came after a week of escalating unrest which has left communities reeling from acts of criminal damage and assault.

The King offered his “heartfelt thanks” to the police for restoring order after speaking to Sir Keir Starmer and police leaders following the week of unrest across the UK.

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