- Nigel Farage likened masked Muslim protesters in east London to a ‘foreign invading army’ during a Tower Hamlets demonstration.
- The protest came after the Metropolitan Police banned a planned UKIP march in Tower Hamlets due to fears of serious disorder.
- Protesters wore black clothing and balaclavas, waving Bangladesh and Palestine flags and chanting in Arabic.
- A counter-protester at Whitechapel vowed to “stand firm” in defending the community.
- Community members sold balaclavas ahead of the march, advising protesters to cover their faces.
- Farage described Tower Hamlets as a place with “proper racism,” accusing protesters of intimidating Jewish people.
- Reform UK leader defended an MP’s controversial remarks on racial representation in TV adverts amid backlash.
- Sarah Pochin, Reform UK MP, apologised for saying adverts were “full of black people, full of Asian people” but stood by her point on representation.
- The London Metropolitan Police banned the UKIP protest citing high Muslim population and risk of disorder.
- Counter-protests by groups such as Stand Up To Racism occurred alongside the banned UKIP march.
What Did Nigel Farage Say About the Protest in East London?
As reported by GB News, Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, strongly criticised the Saturday demonstration in Tower Hamlets, describing it as “one of the most terrifying things I’ve ever seen in my life” and likening the masked Muslim protesters to a “foreign invading army.” Farage condemned the scenes of balaclava-clad men chanting messages in Arabic while waving Bangladesh and Palestine flags on streets where UKIP had intended to march. He accused the protesters of intimidation aimed at Jewish people and described the event as “proper racism” happening in Tower Hamlets, which he called the UK borough with the highest Muslim population. He said,
“This was intimidation to the point of basically urging the mass wipe out of huge numbers of Jewish people”
and challenged anyone to say that the scenes were wrong. Farage accused the political left of being “deluded” in their alliances with such groups.
Why Did the Metropolitan Police Ban the UKIP Protest?
According to the BBC and Arab News, the Metropolitan Police prohibited the UKIP march in Tower Hamlets under the Public Order Act due to concerns of serious disorder. Commander Nick John highlighted that Tower Hamlets has the largest percentage of Muslim residents in the UK, and the prospect of the protest proceeding could spark significant unrest. The police warned of possible arrests for anyone attempting to assemble in the borough. The UKIP event was originally planned to reclaim parts of Whitechapel “from Islamists” but was banned after community and law enforcement concerns. UKIP accused the police of submitting to Islamist pressure.
What Did the Masked Muslim Protesters Say During the March?
Multiple sources including GB News and The Evening Standard report that protesters, many wearing black clothing and balaclavas, marched chanting slogans including “Allahu akbar” and anti-Zionist chants like “Zionist scum off our streets.” A protester using a microphone vowed to “stand firm” and defend the community’s elders and women. He alleged that UKIP was targeting Islam and accused them of wanting to “come into our homes and cause problems.” The protester affirmed, “Today is a day we unite.” Prior to the march, a community leader sold balaclavas for £5, encouraging protesters to cover their faces to avoid police identification, saying, “No face no case”.
What Was the Reaction to Reform MP Sarah Pochin’s Comments on Advertising?
Reactions to Reform MP Sarah Pochin’s remarks about representation in advertisements have been contentious. Pochin sparked controversy when she complained that adverts are “full of black people, full of Asian people,” which she said “drives me mad” and argued they do not represent “the average white family.” Health Secretary Wes Streeting called the remarks “a disgrace” and “racist,” while the Liberal Democrats demanded Pochin be stripped of the party whip. However, Nigel Farage described her comments as “wrong” and “ugly” but declined to label them racist. Pochin apologised, saying her comments were “phrased poorly” and insisted her point was about the advertising industry going “DEI diversity, equity, and inclusion mad” and becoming unrepresentative of British society. She defended the principle of equality as meaning fairness for all and clarified her remarks were made in context.
Were There Counter-Protests or Other Community Responses?
Counter-protests took place alongside the banned UKIP march, organised by groups including Stand Up To Racism, as reported by Arab News and The Evening Standard. The Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, condemned the UKIP rally, saying it would have “spread fear and prejudice” and caused “significant disruption and intimidation” in the local community. Footage shows counter-protesters urging people to “stand firm” and defend their community against the perceived threats posed by UKIP.
The recent events in Tower Hamlets saw a confrontation of political and community tensions surrounding race, religion, and public order. The banned UKIP protest intended to challenge the Muslim presence in the area, prompting a reaction from local Muslim protesters who marched masked and chanting Arabic slogans to assert community defence. Nigel Farage condemned the protest as terrifying and intimidating, while the Metropolitan Police intervened to prevent further disorder by banning the UKIP march. Meanwhile, Reform UK faced internal controversy over one MP’s racially charged comments on advertising diversity. The situation highlights deep divisions and the challenges of managing community relations in diverse urban areas.
