Far-right rally held in London as anti-racism demonstrators stage counter-protest

Supporters of a far-right British figure staged a rally Saturday while anti-racism demonstrators held a counter-protest in central London with an intense police presence.

A large crowd held a protest under the slogan: "Stop the Isolation, Uniting the Kingdom" to demand the release of Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, the jailed founder of the far-right English Defence League.

Robinson was jailed in October for 18 months after admitting contempt of court by repeating false claims against a Syrian refugee.

The crowd gathered outside the Waterloo Station and marched toward the Parliament Square end of Whitehall, shouting, "We want Tommy out."

Some protesters also chanted anti-Islamic, anti-migrant slurs.

Along with UK and England flags, some protesters were seen carrying American and Israeli flags during the far-right protest.

There was an increased police presence in the area as a counter-protest led by the Stand Up To Racism group near the far-right rally.

Thousands of anti-racism protesters took to the streets to oppose "Tommy Robinson, racist rioters and the rise of the global far right."

The Metropolitan Police formed a significant gap in the middle of Whitehall with officers and barriers ensuring that both groups were kept well apart.

Six people have been arrested for various reasons, including breach of the Public Order Act conditions and setting off a flare.

Police also said they arrested one person after an officer was spat at, and three arrests were made in Whitehall after far-right protesters entered the Stand Up To Racism rally area.​​​​​​​