Union leader attacked after counter-protest to Tommy Robinson rally

A union leader has said he was the victim of an “unprovoked” attack by a mob after he addressed a counter-protest to a rally in support of Donald Trump and the jailed far-right leader Tommy Robinson.

Steve Hedley, senior assistant general secretary of the RMT, was among a number of officials assaulted by Robinson supporters, according to the union.

Witnesses said a mob ambushed a group at the Westminster Arms pub in central London on Saturday afternoon in a targeted attack.

In a video on social media, Hedley said: “We got attacked by a load of thugs, completely unprovoked.

“We defended ourselves obviously and there were a lot of casualties on both sides. But it was a completely unprovoked attack – we were just sitting there having a drink.

“If you oppose Tommy you get attacked by a glass and a chair – we have to stop this.”

He described the attackers as being from the far-right English Defence League, which Robinson used to lead.

One witness, who asked not to be named, said: “They [the attackers] knew what they were doing.”

Smashed glass was strewn across the pavement outside the establishment on Storey’s Gate, and pictures showed Hedley with a bandaged head and bloodied face.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “A group of RMT members who had been involved in a peaceful protest in central London have been subjected to a cowardly and unprovoked attack by fascist supporters of Tommy Robinson.

“A number of our members and officials have sustained injuries and the union is providing full support to those caught in this despicable act of pre-meditated violence.”

Earlier, speakers took to a stage in Whitehall to tell the crowd it was “absolutely outrageous that Tommy Robinson is incarcerated in a tiny cell” to cheers and applause.

There were chants of “we want Tommy out” and banners were displayed stating: “Stop grooming gangs”.

Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was jailed for 13 months for contempt of court after broadcasting an hour-long video on Facebook from outside Leeds crown court. In the video he made comments that risked causing a trial to collapse.

There was a heavy police presence at the demonstration, with officers on horseback, while others took video of some protesters.

The Met had imposed public order conditions on the Robinson demonstration in an attempt to prevent a repeat of violence on 9 June when bottles, metal barriers and other objects were thrown at officers. Five police officers were injured and nine arrests were made.

Chief Supt Elaine Van-Orden of the Met said: “We have such serious concerns about this event on Saturday 14 July that we have made the decision to impose conditions under the Public Order Act. Our message is simple: if you wish to protest peacefully, that is your right and we want to work with you. If you commit criminal acts or breach the conditions of the event, you are liable to be arrested.”

Police also ordered Donald Trump supporters, who had gathered outside the US embassy in Nine Elms, not to march to Whitehall as planned. A small number of pro-Trump signs could be seen among the crowd in Whitehall.

A counter-Robinson protest organised by Stand Up to Racism was held in Parliament Square on Saturday. Organisers said they had been prevented by police from staging speeches. Figures including MEPs Claude Moraes and Jean Lambert had been expected to speak.

The ITV News reporter Luke Hanrahan tweeted a video of crowds in Parliament Square.

Both the pro and anti-Robinson demonstrations ended at about 5pm, police said.

The Met said on Saturday evening that a total of 12 people had been arrested as part of the demonstrations.