'Tapping into social disquiet’: UK minister on Tommy Robinson; explains large turnout at activist's anti-immigration rally

Explaining the large turnout at Tommy Robinson’s anti-immigration rally in London, UK business secretary Peter Kyle said the far-right activist was tapping into a wider “sense of disquiet” in the British society.

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“Figures like Robinson are able to touch into a sense of disquiet and grievance in the community. 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 told the BBC.


He added that what worried him most were the “growing” social divisions in Britain, speaking in the context of a smaller anti-racism counter-protest held against the Robinson-led march.

Kyle stated that about 150,000 demonstrators joined Robinson’s “Unite the Kingdom” rally, compared with roughly 5,000 at the counter-protest. He urged the UK government to “redouble” its efforts to address public concerns, including on immigration.

Also Read: Over lakh join Tommy Robinson’s rally in London; mourn Charlie Kirk's death

The minister also criticised billionaire Elon Musk, who addressed the anti-immigration protestors virtually and urged them to “fight back” for their rights or “die.”

“I thought that they were slightly incomprehensible comments that were totally inappropriate,” Kyle said, warning that the “small minority” who engaged in violence at the rally would be held accountable.

The Metropolitan Police has so far arrested 24 people after its officers faced "unacceptable violence" trying to control those at Robinson's event. As many as 26 officers sustained injuries, four of them seriously, following clashes with his supporters.

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Of those arrested, three were women and 21 were men, with the oldest person aged 58 and the youngest 19 years-old, according to the police.