A celebratory gathering in central London to commemorate St. George's Day took a dark turn as a violent brawl erupted between protesters and police officers.

The Metropolitan Police reported that a group of individuals forcefully pushed past officers, breaching security measures near Whitehall.

Eyewitnesses reported that men adorned in St. George's flags confronted a line of police officers, leading to a chaotic scene. Despite efforts to contain the situation within an allocated area on Richmond Terrace, the group disregarded orders and continued advancing up Whitehall. Mounted officers intervened with horses to restore order, but footage circulated showing one of the horses being struck by a protester.

As tensions escalated, the Metropolitan Police made several arrests, including one for assault and three for assaulting an emergency worker. Security minister Tom Tugendhat condemned the violent behaviour, denouncing the perpetrators as "thugs" rather than patriots.

The rally, which attracted participants dressed as knights, also saw controversial speeches from figures like Laurence Fox and Tommy Robinson. Fox directed abusive remarks towards London Mayor Sadiq Khan, while Robinson alleged the infiltration of "jihadist marches" in London. Despite concerns over potential disturbances, additional officers were deployed to maintain public safety.

The event was closely monitored by various law enforcement agencies, including the British Transport Police and the City of London Police. Authorities implemented Section 60AA and Section 60 orders to address masked individuals and prevent further disorder.

Amidst the chaos, some protesters expressed anti-Palestinian sentiments, juxtaposing the celebration of St. George's Day with inflammatory rhetoric. Ironically, historical records suggest St. George's mother hailed from fourth-century Roman Palestine.

Following the altercation, Whitehall was reopened to traffic, with no further incidents reported. However, a significant police presence remained in the area to ensure ongoing security.