We are going to by no means give up our flag, Sir Keir Starmer says

[ad_1] <img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/4a43/live/3253b770-916f-11f0-885f-8be4d96b71f7.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/4a43/live/3253b770-916f-11f0-885f-8be4d96b71f7.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/4a43/live/3253b770-916f-11f0-885f-8be4d96b71f7.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/4a43/live/3253b770-916f-11f0-885f-8be4d96b71f7.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/4a43/live/3253b770-916f-11f0-885f-8be4d96b71f7.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/4a43/live/3253b770-916f-11f0-885f-8be4d96b71f7.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/4a43/live/3253b770-916f-11f0-885f-8be4d96b71f7.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/4a43/live/3253b770-916f-11f0-885f-8be4d96b71f7.jpg.webp" loading="eager" alt="EPA Protesters taking part in a 'Unite the Kingdom' rally are held back by police officers, some on horses, in central London." class="sc-86c96223-0 fHZDyi"/> EPA Britain won't give up its flag to those that want to use it as an emblem of violence, worry and division, Sir Keir Starmer has stated.

The prime minister stated the flag represents "our numerous nation" and he won't enable individuals to really feel intimidated on "our streets due to their background or the color of their pores and skin".

His feedback come after greater than 150,000 individuals took to the streets of central London for a "Unite the Kingdom" march organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, and about 5,000 took half in a counter-protest, co-ordinated by Stand Up To Racism.

Earlier, Business Secretary Peter Kyle said marchers have been "demonstrating freedom of affiliation and freedom of speech".

The prime minister stated on Sunday afternoon: "Folks have a proper to peaceable protest. It's core to our nation's values.

"However we won't stand for assaults on law enforcement officials doing their job or for individuals feeling intimidated on our streets due to their background or the color of their pores and skin.

"Britain is nation proudly constructed on tolerance, variety and respect. Our flag represents our numerous nation and we are going to by no means give up it to people who use it as an emblem of violence, worry and division."

Police say 26 officers were injured on the day - together with 4 who have been significantly harm - with 24 individuals arrested.

For many of Saturday afternoon, central London was stuffed with 1000's of individuals waving primarily union jacks in addition to St George's flags. Some Scottish Saltires and Welsh flags have been additionally seen.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/4ab9/live/0ce90200-917a-11f0-b391-6936825093bd.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/4ab9/live/0ce90200-917a-11f0-b391-6936825093bd.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/4ab9/live/0ce90200-917a-11f0-b391-6936825093bd.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/4ab9/live/0ce90200-917a-11f0-b391-6936825093bd.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/4ab9/live/0ce90200-917a-11f0-b391-6936825093bd.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/4ab9/live/0ce90200-917a-11f0-b391-6936825093bd.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/4ab9/live/0ce90200-917a-11f0-b391-6936825093bd.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/4ab9/live/0ce90200-917a-11f0-b391-6936825093bd.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Reuters Large crowds fill Whitehall in central London with many seen waving union jacks and St George's flags, with grand Whitehall cream-coloured buildings seen in the background." class="sc-86c96223-0 fHZDyi"/> Reuters About 150,000 individuals descended on central London for the march organised by Robinson

Talking concerning the protests, Kyle stated on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg moments like these have been "klaxon calls" for these in energy to redouble their efforts to handle the massive issues individuals have, together with on immigration.

"What worries me most is the divisions in our society and different societies and different democratic societies... it is not even the left and the precise in the intervening time," he instructed the programme.

"There are figures equivalent to Tommy Robinson which might be in a position to contact into a way of disquiet and grievance locally in our society," he stated.

The "small minority" who had dedicated violence can be held accountable, he instructed the programme.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk spoke to protesters on Whitehall by way of videolink, telling them to "struggle again" or "die". He additionally referred to huge uncontrolled migration and referred to as for a change of presidency within the UK.

Kyle criticised a few of Musk's feedback as "completely inappropriate".

Robinson, whose actual identify is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, addressed crowds immediately on the march the place he criticised politicians for "parroting" his concepts.

An enormous policing operation was put in place for the protests this weekend, with about 1,000 Met officers deployed and an additional 500 from different forces together with Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Devon and Cornwall drafted in.

Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist stated: "There isn't any doubt that many got here to train their lawful proper to protest, however there have been many who got here intent on violence."

The protest was largely peaceable on Saturday lunchtime however because the afternoon continued, tensions flared.

The Met stated some officers had been attacked whereas making an attempt to maintain the 2 teams aside and dozens of officers have been injured, together with 4 who have been significantly harm.

The variety of protesters becoming a member of the march, organised by Robinson, grew to become too massive to suit into Whitehall, police stated, and confrontation befell when officers tried to cease them encircling counter-protesters.

Mounted law enforcement officials used batons to push again the crowds and officers have been kicked and punched, the Met stated.

Three of the 24 individuals arrested have been girls and the remainder have been males, whereas the youngest and oldest individuals detained on the protest have been aged 19 and 58 respectively, the power stated on Sunday.