Police are preparing for hundreds of thousands of people arriving in a charged capital for what may be one of the largest political demonstrations in British history today.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak asked for “unity” as tensions threaten to boil over between those marking Remembrance Day and those protesting in support of Palestine. His comments come following the Home Secretary claiming that the police had demonstrated favouritism towards the Palestine activists.
Concerns are high about counter-protests around the Cenotaph. Far-right poster boy Tommy Robinson has said on X that he intends to be in the area, but called on his supporters to remain respectful.
Scotland Yard will deploy nearly 2,000 officers across areas of central London. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said it will be a “really busy” weekend for policing.
On the eve of the mass protest, the Mr Sunak urged those taking to the streets to do so “respectfully and peacefully” and to respect Armistice Day.
In a statment Number 10 said: “This act of remembrance is fundamental to who we are as a country and I want to reassure those wishing to pay their respects, attend services and travel that they can and should do so”.
“It is because of those who fought for this country and for the freedom we cherish that those who wish to protest can do so, but they must do so respectfully and peacefully.
“Remembrance weekend is sacred for us all and should be a moment of unity, of our shared British values and of solemn reflection.”
His comments come after Suella Braverman sparked outrage among MPs across the House for claiming that the Met had demonstrated bias towards those supporting the Palestine. She had also made references to marches in Northern Ireland, causing concern across the political spectrum over the Irish Sea.
She said that the Palestine marches were not “merely a cry for help for Gaza,” but rather “an assertion of primacy by certain groups — particularly Islamists — of the kind we are more used to seeing in Northern Ireland.”
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