Clashes as thousands march at rallies in support of Trump and Robinson
There are minor clashes and arrests as a protest calling for Robinson to be released from jail mixes with a Welcome Trump march.
Saturday 14 July 2018 22:07, UK
Twelve people have been arrested at demonstrations in support of Tommy Robinson and Donald Trump.
Former English Defence League leader Robinson was arrested in May and jailed for 13 months for contempt of court.
He had been filming people involved in a Leeds trial and broadcasting the footage on social media while court proceedings were active.
Thousands of people marched calling for Robinson to be freed from prison as, despite Robinson pleading guilty in court, they believe he has been unfairly treated.
Despite police efforts to keep the marches separate thousands of protesters from the Free Tommy Robinson event and President Trump supporters descended on Whitehall for a largely peaceful rally near the Cenotaph.
UKIP leader Gerard Batten addressed the crowds and likened Robinson's plight to that of other former political prisoners including Nelson Mandela and even Robin Hood.
Scuffles did break out after the police tried to remove inflatables featuring London Mayor Sadiq Khan's face that officers considered crossed the line.
In Trafalgar Square the removal of a Peppa Pig balloon with Khan's face on promoted angry exchanges.
One man was seen on Sky News hitting a police horse and bottles were thrown at the mounted officers.
An anti fascist march, in which many demonstrators covered their faces, a Stand Up To Racism rally and a Welcome Trump march were also all accompanied by a heavy police presence.
They came a day after an estimated 100,000 people marched through London opposing the visit of the US president.
On Saturday, one woman was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder, two men were arrested on suspicion of public order offences, one man was arrested on suspicion of fireworks offences.
Eight men were arrested on suspicion of assault at Storey's Gate, Westminster.
The Metropolitan Police said Trump supporters were due to leave the US Embassy and meet Robinson fans on the way to Whitehall, but ordered both must depart Temple Place and follow a strict route after "serious violence" at a march last month resulted in five officers being injured.
More protest against Mr Trump's visit to the UK took place on Saturday as the president spent the day playing golf in Scotland.