Police have set out conditions for demonstrations in central London on Saturday, as concerns were raised over the proximity between pro-Palestine and UK Independence Party rallies.
The pro-Palestine march is now well underway, with demonstrators chanting "End the occupation now" and "Stop arming Israel".
Veteran activist Peter Tatchell has been arrested at the protest for carrying a placard reading "Globalise the intifada", his foundation said.
In a statement, the 74-year-old human rights campaigner said the arrest was "an attack on free speech".
The Met said in December that protesters chanting "globalise the intifada" will now be arrested because the "context has changed" in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack.
The Palestine Coalition – which includes groups such as the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Stop the War Coalition and Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament – is marching from Russell Square, down to the Strand, past Trafalgar Square and into Whitehall.
The Metropolitan Police said the procession must not start before 12.45pm and the rally in Whitehall must end by 6pm.
The Ukip march will go from Marble Arch, along Oxford Street, down Charing Cross Road and into Trafalgar Square.
Protesters must not set off before 12.45pm and the Trafalgar Square rally must be finished by 3.30pm, the Met said.
Conditions mean both sets of protesters are obliged to remain in areas defined by police, with pro-Palestinian demonstrators contained between Downing Street and Whitehall Place and Ukip supporters within the north terrace of Trafalgar Square.
Follow the latest updates below.
Protests in Whitehall end
18:01 , Megan HoweA spokesperson for Met Police said: “All protests in the vicinity of Whitehall have now concluded. Officers remain in the area to deal with any incidents.
“Protests continue outside the Iranian and US embassies, both involving anti-regime Iranian groups.”
Protesters dress in red as they pose for a picture
17:02 , Megan HowePro-Palestine protesters could be seen dressed in red at the rally in central London this afternoon.
The demonstration is being held to call on the British government to end arms sales to Israel.
Woman arrested for wearing a t-shirt with the slogan 'globalise the intifada'
16:58 , Megan HoweA woman has been arrested in Whitehall after she was seen wearing a t-shirt with the words ‘globalise the intifada’ on.
This brings the total number of arrests to three.
Two arrested at Pro-Palestine rally
15:48 , Megan HoweTwo people have been arrested on suspicion of showing support for a proscribed organisation at a protest in central London, the Metropolitan Police have said.
In a statement on X, the force said the pair were spotted by officers carrying a banner with the words "we are all Palestine Action".
Palestine Action was banned as a terror group in July 2025 by then-home secretary Yvette Cooper.
In Photos: Pro-Palestine protesters and counter-protesters in central London
15:33 , Megan Howe
Eye witness claims Mr Tatchell had been marching near to police officers before his arrest
15:27 , Megan HoweMr Tatchell had been marching near to police officers and with a sign on display for about a mile from Russell Square to the top of the Strand when the group came across a counter-protest, according to an eye witness.
At that point, he was stopped and "manhandled by 10 officers", according to photographer Jacky Summerfield, who was with him.
"I was shoved back behind a cordon of officers and unable to speak to him after that," she said.
"I couldn't get any closer to hear anything more than (that) it was for Section 5 (of the Public Order Act).
"There had been no issue until that, he was walking near the police officers," she added.
"Nobody had said or done anything."
The Metropolitan Police said in December that protesters chanting "globalise the intifada" will now be arrested because the "context has changed" in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack.
In a post on X, the Met said: "Officers policing the Palestine Coalition protest have arrested a 74-year-old man on suspicion of a public order offence. He was seen carrying a sign including the words 'globalise the intifada'."
Activist Peter Tatchell arrested at pro-Palestine rally
14:43 , Megan HoweActivist Peter Tatchell has been arrested at a pro-Palestine march in central London for having a placard that read "globalise the intifada", his foundation said.
The human rights campaigner was carrying a sign that read "Globalise the intifada: Non-violent resistance. End Israel's occupation of Gaza & West Bank" at the protest on Saturday.
In a statement released by the Peter Tatchell Foundation, the 74-year-old said the arrest was "an attack on free speech".
He said: "The police claimed the word intifada is unlawful. The word intifada is not a crime in law.
"The police are engaged in over-reach by making it an arrestable offence.
"This is part of a dangerous trend to increasingly restrict and criminalise peaceful protests.
"The Arab word intifada means uprising, rebellion or resistance against Israel's occupation of the West Bank and Gaza.
"It does not mean violence and is not antisemitic. It is against the Israeli regime and its war crimes, not against Jewish people."
Mr Tatchell was taken to Sutton police station to be detained, according to his foundation.
UKIP says 'We show that Britain is a Christian land'
13:55 , Shaun WilsonUKIP leader Nick Tenconi says “Britain is a Christian land”, adding: “The battle we are in is to save Britain. The war we are in is a holy war; and the crisis we face is a spiritual crisis.”
Tomorrow we show the world that Britain is a Christian land.
— UKIP (@UKIP) January 30, 2026
Join us at 12pm at Marble Arch to march for Christ. ✝️@NickTenconi pic.twitter.com/ClZRJBmmJa
Demonstrators chant as pro_palestine march gets underway
13:36 , Shaun WilsonThe pro-Palestine march is now well underway, with demonstrators chanting, “End the occupation now” and “stop arming Israel”.
Thousands on the streets of London calling for an end to Britain's suppprt for nuclear-armed Israel's occupation of Palestine. pic.twitter.com/cwX2e2CYwP
— Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (@CNDuk) January 31, 2026
Pro-Palestine march officially begins
13:21 , Shaun WilsonThe pro-Palestine march has officially begun, with demonstrators chanting: “Free, free Palestine!”
First national march for Palestine of 2026 is underway. Join the rally in Whitehall where our Vice-Chair Carol Turner will be speaking on behalf of CND. pic.twitter.com/kKOMKT43oO
— Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (@CNDuk) January 31, 2026
UKIP protest gathering at Marble Arch
13:19 , Shaun WilsonA smaller gathering of UKIP supporters has assembled at Marble Arch for their ‘Walk with Jesus’ march. Onlookers estimate under 100 people have arrived so far.
Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell joins pro-Palestine march
13:16 , Shaun WilsonHuman rights campaigner Peter Tatchell is marching today in solidary with Palestine, demanding an end of “Israel’s occupation of Palestine and the West Bank.”
#Palestine march London
— Peter Tatchell (@PeterTatchell) January 31, 2026
"Globalise the intifada: Non-violent resistance. End Israel's occupation of Gaza & West Bank"
Palestinians have a right to resist Israeli terrorism
Jewish settlers are terrorising #WestBank villagers: beating them & burning their homes, cars & crops pic.twitter.com/NmHeHWnO2H
Thousands of protesters gather for pro-Palestine march
13:02 , Shaun WilsonThousands of demonstrators have gathered in Russell Square, to protest against “genocide and apartheid in Palestine”.
NOW: Thousands getting ready to march for Palestine 🇵🇸
— Palestine Solidarity Campaign (@PSCupdates) January 31, 2026
Israel is still committing genocide and apartheid in Palestine and Britain continues to arm them. Join us to stand with the Palestinian people and demand our government end all complicity in Israel’s violence. pic.twitter.com/in2XKSV38a
Protesters set up stalls
12:39 , Shaun WilsonProtest groups including the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament have set up stalls at the edge of Russell Square
We're at today's national match for Palestine. Our stall is set up on the edge of Russell Square. If you can't make the march, join the rally in Whitehall! pic.twitter.com/WH73wp7RmI
— Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (@CNDuk) January 31, 2026
Pro-Palestine protesters gather in Russell Square
12:10 , Shaun WilsonStanding in Russell Square, Palestine Solidarity Campaign deputy director Peter Leahy said: "We're here to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people and their decades-long struggle against oppression, dispossession, apartheid, and a genocide that continues despite the so-called ceasefire.
"We're also here because we know what is at stake today are two very different versions of the world. We have Donald Trump trampling over international law, whether it's Venezuela or Greenland, his threats of further military illegal invasions [continue] around the world."
Mr Leahy then took aim at Trump's Board of Peace, which includes former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, whom he dubbed "a war criminal".
He added: "While Donald Trump dreams of using Gaza as a testing ground for his plans to replace the United Nations, the situation and reality faced by the Palestinians remains horrific.
"In Gaza, nearly 500 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the so-called ceasefire in October. We've all seen the distressing images of Palestinians sheltering in tents from the winds and rain of winter."
PSC Deputy Director Peter Leary explains why it’s so important that we march for Palestine today. Join us! 🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/5GWYHCyp1n
— Palestine Solidarity Campaign (@PSCupdates) January 31, 2026
'Procession is dedicated to holy name of Jesus', says UKIP
11:39 , Shaun WilsonUKIP has issued instructions to attendees at today's protest, saying the procession is "dedicated to the holy name of Jesus" and prayer books will be handed out.
Update for our March With Jesus.
— UKIP (@UKIP) January 29, 2026
See you on Saturday 31st of January, meeting at 12pm at Marble Arch. pic.twitter.com/uAjsoS8Cog
