Starmer Denounces London Protests

(MENAFN) UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has spoken out against anti-government demonstrators in London, alleging they have exploited the national flag to advance “division” instead of the “diversity” it is meant to symbolize.

On Saturday, tens of thousands gathered for the “Unite the Kingdom” rally, organized by right-wing activist Tommy Robinson, who called it “the UK’s biggest free speech festival.”

Participants paraded through the city waving Union flags and St. George’s crosses, holding signs that read “Stop the Boats” and featuring images of conservative American influencer Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated last week.

Authorities deployed roughly 1,000 police officers and enacted measures to keep the estimated 150,000-strong crowd separate from a counter-protest of around 5,000 people.

Tensions escalated when some attendees tried to breach a cordon near the main stage, resulting in at least 26 injuries and 25 arrests.

In a post on X on Sunday, Starmer condemned the “assaults on police officers” and said the rally had “intimidated” residents of varying backgrounds and skin colors.

“Britain is a nation proudly built on tolerance, diversity, and respect. Our flag represents our diverse country, and we will never surrender it to those who use it as a symbol of violence and division,” he affirmed.

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