The UK government has banned 11 foreign far-right activists from entering the country ahead of a rally organized by anti-Islam activist Tommy Robinson, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Friday.
Thousands are expected to attend the "Unite the Kingdom" event in central London on Saturday, coinciding with an annual pro-Palestinian Nakba Day march in another part of the city. The Metropolitan Police has drafted more than 4,000 officers, anticipating one of its busiest days in recent years amid fears of clashes if the protests overlap.
"We're in a fight for the soul of this country," Starmer said in a statement. "Its organizers are peddling hatred and division, plain and simple. We will block those coming into the UK who seek to incite hatred and violence."
The Home Office also blocked anti-Islam influencer Valentina Gomez, a US-based figure who attended the first Unite the Kingdom march last September, from entering the UK. That rally began peacefully but later saw violent confrontations with police and incidents of anti-Muslim hate speech.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, posted on X: "Keir Starmer's regime are the enemy of the British people. Descend on London." The BBC has approached Unite the Kingdom for comment.
The Met plans to deploy live facial recognition cameras for the first time at a protest, specifically around the Unite the Kingdom rally, to spot potential troublemakers. Armored vehicles will be on standby, and all officers will be equipped with riot gear. Drones will also be used to identify suspects.
Specialist officers are prepared to arrest and charge hate speech crimes, including chants referring to "intifada" at the pro-Palestinian march. The Crown Prosecution Service has issued new guidance urging prosecutors to consider whether placards, banners, or chants on social media may amount to stirring up hatred.
Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson said: "This is not about restricting free speech. It is about preventing hate crime and protecting the public, particularly at a time of heightened tensions. Where the line into criminality is crossed, we will not hesitate to prosecute."