Far-right activist Tommy Robinson’s latest event drew far fewer numbers on Saturday, as he led what he called an effort to “put the Christ back into Christmas” in London.
Only around 1,000 people gathered in Whitehall on Saturday for the carol concert, according to reported estimates.
It marks a sharp drop off in attendance compared to the estimated 110,000 to 150,000 people. people who participated in a London protest led by Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, in September.
Ahead of the event, Bishops at the Diocese of Southwark said they were “gravely concerned” about the use of Christian symbols to “justify racism and anti-migrant rhetoric”.
Writing for The Independent, Right Reverend David Walker, the Bishop of Manchester, also hit out at fake claims that “Christmas has been cancelled” and criticised those seeking to politicise Christianity.
After gathering outside Downing Street on Saturday afternoon, crowds listened to speakers on stage give readings and sing hymns.
Attendees received hymn sheets, while a vendor sold St George’s flags and Santa hats as chants of “Christ is King” and tributes to Charlie Kirk were heard.
Closing the event, Yaxley-Lennon said he used to “hate the church” but met a pastor in prison who taught him about the bible.
A priest sitting among the crowd shouted that Jesus had been a migrant.
“I’ve worked with lots of former offenders like Tommy Robinson,” she said, offering to speak to attendees about Christianity.
His Unite The Kingdom gathering was separated from a counter-protest organised by Stand Up To Racism in central London at the same time.
While previous confrontations between similar groups on Whitehall earlier this year resulted in police violence, Saturday’s demonstration appeared to proceed peacefully.
In September, Robinson organised a Unite The Kingdom rally in central London attended by between 110,000 and 150,000 people.
More than 150 reports of anti-Muslim hate were made to the Tell Mama charity monitoring the issue in the seven days following the rally.
Officers were assaulted as they faced “significant aggression” from protesters, the force said.
Projectiles were thrown by Robinson protesters towards the counter-demonstrators as thousands from both sides stared each other down on Whitehall.
Posting on X before the event on Saturday, Robinson said: “I want to remind everyone this is a religious celebration, this is not a political event.
“No face coverings, and no drinking please, as we have always done, let’s self police, behave respectfully and let’s make sure we honour our faith, our culture, and our heritage in the very best way we can.”
Two arrests were made overall. One person was arrested earlier in the day for an assault on a mounted officer in nearby Whitehall Place. The second arrest was for a man suspected of directing homophobic abuse towards an officer at a previous protest.
