Far-right activist Tommy Robinson is among those tapping into a “sense of disquiet” in the country, a Cabinet minister has told the , after thousands joined a march and counter-protest in London on Saturday.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle said marchers were demonstrating freedom of association and freedom of speech, after up to 150,000 joined a “Unite the Kingdom” rally, organised by Robinson and about 5,000 took part in a counter-protest, co-ordinated by Stand Up To Racism.
But he told Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg the “small minority” who had committed violence would be held accountable.
Twenty-six police officers were injured, the police said, and 24 people arrested for a range of offences.
Kyle criticised Elon Musk’s comments after he appeared at Saturday’s rally via video link telling protesters to “fight back” or “die”.
“I thought that they were slightly incomprehensible comments that were totally inappropriate”, the minister said.
The tech billionaire also referred to massive uncontrolled migration and called for a change of government in the UK.
Speaking about Saturday’s protests, Kyle said moments like these were “klaxon calls” for those in power to redouble their efforts to address the big concerns people have, including on immigration.
“What worries me most is the divisions in our society and other societies and other democratic societies … it’s not even the left and the right at the moment, ” he told the programme.
Figures like Robinson were able to “touch into a sense of disquiet and grievance in the community in our society”, he said.
“A lot of it goes back to its roots in the financial crisis and the impact that had on communities around the country, and we haven’t been able to bring our communities back together again since,” Kyle continued.
A huge policing operation was in place in London on Saturday, with the Met deploying 1,000 officers and drafting in help from other forces across England.
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said officers said: “There is no doubt that many came to exercise their lawful right to protest, but there were many who came intent on violence.”
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, addressed the crowds where he criticised politicians for “parroting” his ideas.
He also claimed UK courts had decided the rights of undocumented migrants superseded those of the “local community”.
Last month, the Court of Appeal overturned an injunction blocking asylum seekers being housed at The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex.