UK Police Ban Right-Wing Anti-Immigration March in Tower Hamlets Amid Rising Tensions

London, UK – Metropolitan Police prohibited a planned right-wing anti-immigration march by the UK Independence Party (UKIP) in Whitechapel, Tower Hamlets, scheduled for October 25, 2025. The ban was enacted due to a "realistic prospect of serious disorder," according to authorities. The event was promoted by groups aiming to "reclaim Whitechapel from the Islamists," as stated in a tweet by Visegr%C3%A1d 24, a far-right news aggregator.

The planned demonstration was part of a broader series of anti-immigration protests across the United Kingdom throughout 2025, often fueled by social media and involving various far-right organizations. UKIP's X account had explicitly called on attendees to "reclaim Whitechapel from the Islamists," reflecting the inflammatory rhetoric surrounding such events.

Tower Hamlets, a highly diverse borough with a significant Muslim population, has historically been a focal point for far-right demonstrations, echoing past struggles against fascism like the 1936 Battle of Cable Street. Recent years have seen increased tensions, particularly around facilities housing asylum seekers, such as the Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf, which has been the site of numerous anti-migrant protests.

The tweet from Visegr%C3%A1d 24, which claimed, "A mix of Islamists and foreign gang members meet up in London to show their dominance of the streets ahead of a planned right-wing anti-immigration protest in Tower Hamlets," presents an unverified assertion. Visegr%C3%A1d 24 is recognized for publishing anti-immigrant content and spreading misinformation, and independent corroboration for this specific alleged meeting is not available.

The Met Police's decision to ban the march underscores concerns over public safety and potential clashes between opposing groups. While general gang activity and knife crime have seen a rise in London, exacerbated by socio-economic factors, there is no direct evidence linking this trend to the specific, politically charged claims made in the aforementioned tweet regarding extremist gatherings in Tower Hamlets.