Eleven “Far Right agitators” have been blocked from entering Britain as part of a huge security operation to stop violence erupting at two marches in London at the weekend.
Sir Keir Starmer announced the travel bans to stop the 11 individuals attending the Unite the Kingdom protest which is expected to be led by Tommy Robinson.
The Prime Minister also stressed that the “full force of the law” would be used against “violent thugs who spew hatred”.
Around 4,000 police officers will be deployed for the Unite the Kingdom demonstration and a pro-Palestinian Nakba 78 march, on the same day as the FA Cup Final at Wembley.
In an unprecedented public order operation, Scotland Yard warned that people engaging in antisemitic, anti-Muslim or other hate speech would face arrest, and the organisers of the protests could also be prosecuted if such offences take place at their events.
People who commit hate crimes will be fast-tracked through the courts.
Individuals who chant “Death to the IDF” or “Globalise the Intifada” will face arrest.
Armoured vehicles, armed police units, mounted police, dog teams, helicopters and drones will be used to try to limit any violence at the protests.
“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,” said Sir Keir after a visit with London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan to the Met Police’s Command and Control Special Operations Room.
“Its organisers are peddling hatred and division, plain and simple.”
The Prime Minister added: “We will block those coming into the UK who seek to incite hatred and violence.
“For anyone who sets out to wreak havoc on our streets, to intimidate or threaten anyone, you can expect to face the full force of the law.”
Among the 11 people blocked from entering the UK are US-based political commentator Valentina Gomez and Belgian politician Filip Dewinter.
Sir Keir stressed that the Government championed the right to peaceful protest.
“We are a country built on decency, fairness and respect, at our best when people from different backgrounds come together in common purpose,” he stressed.
“That is what we must fight for.”
Live facial recognition will be used for the first time by the Met Police for a public order operation, though not on the march routes.
Instead, it will be deployed in the borough of Camden to try to catch people on a “watch list” who may be planning to attend the Unite the Kingdom march, due to be led by Mr Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.
The Unite the Kingdom march will start in Kingsway and go to Aldwych, The Strand, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, before a rally in Parliament Square.
The Nakba 78/United Against Tommy Robinson and the Far Right protest will begin in Exhibition Road, Cromwell Gardens, Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, Piccadilly, ending with a rally in Pall Mall.
Sir Sadiq said: “The right to protest is a cornerstone of our democracy, but how it’s done matters.
“I urge all those who are planning to protest this weekend in London to do so peacefully, lawfully and with consideration for others in our city.
“London is a city where we cherish our diversity and reject those who seek to divide our communities. We will continue to choose hope over fear, unity over division.”
Around 50,000 people are expected by the Met to attend the Unite the Kingdom march, and 30,000 the Nakba 78 protest.
The demonstrations are taking place on the same day as the FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Manchester City.
Police are braced for football hooligans to travel to London to take part in the Unite the Kingdom march.
The security operation is expected to cost £4.5 million, including £1.7 million to bring in 660 police officers from outside London.
