Kier Starmer, We will never surrender our flag amid London protest
Kier Starmer, We will never surrender our flag amid London protest
UK prime minister affirms the flag stands for Britain's diversity and vows no intimidation on streets after a large pro-UK march and a smaller counter-protest, with police reporting injuries.
The UK prime minister said the flag represents "our diverse country" and that he would not allow people to feel "intimidated on our streets because of their background or the colour of their skin."
The remarks come after more than 150,000 people took to central London for a Unite the Kingdom march organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, with about 5,000 taking part in a counter-protest coordinated by Stand Up To Racism.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle said marchers were "demonstrating freedom of association and freedom of speech." The prime minister added: "People have a right to peaceful protest. It is core to our country's values. But we will not stand for assaults on police officers doing their job or for people feeling intimidated on our streets because of their background or the colour of their skin." Britain is a nation proudly built on tolerance, diversity and respect.
Our flag represents our diverse country and we will never surrender it to those that use it as a symbol of violence, fear and division. Police say 26 officers were injured on the day - including four who were seriously hurt - with 24 people
