Thousands of protesters expected in London for Unite the Kingdom and pro-Palestine rallies

Tens of thousands of people are expected to descend on London today for two major demonstrations.

Armoured vehicles, police horses, dogs, drones and helicopters, along with 4,000 officers, will be deployed as the Metropolitan Police hopes to avoid clashes between Tommy Robinson's Unite the Kingdom march and the pro-Palestine Nakba Day rally.

Also today, Chelsea and Manchester City are due to clash in the FA Cup final, leaving police concerned that some football fans could go straight from the game to the rallies.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said ahead of the Unite the Kingdom march: "We're in a fight for the soul of this country, and the Unite the Kingdom march this weekend is a stark reminder of exactly what we are up against. Its organisers are peddling hatred and division, plain and simple."

The Met has confirmed they will arrest individuals who incite hatred, and new guidance urges prosecutors to consider whether protest placards, banners and chants viewed on social media may amount to offences of stirring up hatred during the rallies.

For the first time under official protest restrictions, organisers and speakers both face prosecution if their rally is used as a platform for extremism or hate speech.

In another first for a policing operation around a protest, live facial recognition will be used, with cameras set up in a location in Camden, north London.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner James Harman said the "unprecedented" operation will cost the force £4.5m, with £1.7m being spent to bring in officers from other forces to boost numbers.

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He said today "has the potential to be one of the busiest days for policing in London in recent years".

Some 50,000 people will attend the Unite the Kingdom rally, with 30,000 more at Nakba Day, police estimate.

The government has blocked 11 foreign nationals described by Sir Keir as "far-right agitators" from entering the UK ahead of the Unite the Kingdom rally, including US-based anti-Islam influencer Valentina Gomez.

(c) Sky News 2026: Thousands of protesters expected in London for Unite the Kingdom and pro-Palestine rallies