A major far-right rally in London has led to allegations of threats against Labour leader Keir Starmer, violent clashes with police, and a series of arrests, signalling a worrying rise in extremist activity and hostility towards democratic institutions.
A man was detained by the Metropolitan Police in London following a disturbing far-right rally on 13 September 2025, after footage emerged of him threatening to assassinate Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party. The footage rapidly circulated online, with the individual declaring that “Keir Starmer needs to be murdered,” and that “someone needs to shoot Keir Starmer.” Such violent rhetoric, readily accessible on social media, underscores the dangerous turn of these gatherings. The police swiftly launched an investigation, and the 56-year-old man was taken into custody on suspicion of malicious communications the next day. He has since been released on bail as inquiries continue, but incidents like this highlight the disturbing normalization of threats against political figures in an environment increasingly hostile to democratic debate.
The rally, organized by far-right provocateur Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, better known as Tommy Robinson, drew an estimated 110,000 to 150,000 attendees—numbers that reveal the substantial reach of these extremist movements. Dubbed a “festival of free speech,” the event quickly descended into chaos, with violent clashes erupting between protesters and police, resulting in injuries to 26 officers who faced projectiles and aggressive behavior. Despite police efforts to restore order, 24 arrests were made for offences including assault and violent disorder, with authorities warning that more arrests could be forthcoming as investigations proceed.
Throughout the rally, inflammatory rhetoric was commonplace, with speakers fueling racist conspiracy theories and anti-Muslim hate speech. Notably, Elon Musk made a provocative appearance via live link, warning that “violence is coming” and urging the crowd to “fight back or you die.” Such comments, which verge on incitement, spotlight the dangerous influence of figures whose rhetoric feeds into the chaos and hostility that threaten the stability of our democratic institutions. The police are now working to identify additional individuals involved, amid concerns that these extremist events are emboldening far-right factions and escalating tensions across the country.
While the man arrested faces charges solely related to threats against Starmer, law enforcement authorities have made further arrests linked to disorder and violence during the rally. The surge of far-right activity and the police response reveal the mounting challenge in safeguarding public safety and protecting the democratic process from hate-fueled extremism. It’s a stark reminder that when free speech crosses the line into violence and intimidation, society must stand firm in condemning these threats and ensuring that such dangerous rhetoric does not go unchecked.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is fresh, with the earliest known publication date being 17 September 2025. The report is based on a press release from the Metropolitan Police, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No earlier versions with different figures, dates, or quotes were found. The article includes updated data and does not recycle older material.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quotes attributed to the arrested individual, such as “Keir Starmer needs to be assassinated” and “someone needs to shoot Keir Starmer,” are unique to this report. No identical quotes appear in earlier material, indicating potentially original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Guardian, a reputable organisation known for its journalistic standards. The Metropolitan Police, a legitimate law enforcement agency, is the source of the information, further enhancing the reliability of the report.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims made in the narrative are plausible and corroborated by multiple reputable sources. The event, known as the “Unite the Kingdom” rally, took place on 13 September 2025, drawing between 110,000 and 150,000 attendees. Clashes with police resulted in injuries to 26 officers and 24 arrests for various offences. The arrest of a 56-year-old man on suspicion of malicious communications aligns with the reported events. The narrative’s language and tone are consistent with typical journalistic reporting, and the structure focuses on the key facts without excessive or off-topic detail.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative passes all checks with high scores, indicating it is fresh, original, and sourced from reliable entities. The claims are plausible and corroborated by multiple reputable sources, with no significant discrepancies or signs of disinformation.
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