Police Arrest Man for Threatening Keir Starmer at Rally
A man has been arrested after allegedly threatening to kill Keir Starmer at a far-right rally in London. The incident occurred on September 13, 2023, during a protest organized by Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson. Footage from the event showed an individual stating that “Keir Starmer needs to be assassinated” and “someone needs to shoot Keir Starmer.”
The Metropolitan Police initiated an investigation on Sunday, following the circulation of the video on social media platforms. In a statement to the Guardian on Wednesday, the police confirmed: “A man has been arrested in relation to a video referencing Sir Keir Starmer which was filmed during the ‘unite the kingdom’ protest.”
On September 14, authorities detained a 56-year-old man on suspicion of making malicious communications. He was subsequently released on bail while investigations continue.
The protest attracted significant attention, with Scotland Yard estimating that at least 110,000 people participated. The event, initially promoted as a “festival of free speech,” devolved into violence, resulting in injuries to 26 police officers as projectiles were thrown. The Met reported that 24 people had been arrested for various offenses, including common assault and violent disorder.
A post-event investigation is underway, with law enforcement working to identify additional individuals involved in the unrest. Among the speakers at the rally was Elon Musk, who appeared via live link. His remarks drew condemnation from Downing Street, which described his language as “dangerous and inflammatory.” Musk warned the crowd, stating, “violence is coming” and urged them to “either fight back or you die.”
Protesters had traveled to London by train and coach, and by the rally’s conclusion, many attendees had promoted racist conspiracy theories and anti-Muslim hate speech. The large turnout exceeded police expectations, leading to heightened tensions and confrontations between protesters and law enforcement.
As the investigation progresses, police officials remain focused on ensuring accountability for those involved in the violent incidents that marked the protest.
