London protests LIVE: Over 70 arrests as thousands join pro-Palestine rally in Westminster

Police arrested around 77 people at a pro-Palestine rally in central London on Saturday following clashes between officers and members of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC).

Some of the hundreds in attendance voiced their disapproval as officers were seen restraining a woman on the ground shortly after the rally began at midday.

The Met Police confirmed that four of the arrests were for public order offences and two for breaching conditions agreed ahead of the protest. The force issued a further warning to protesters not to violate the terms of the agreement. By 8pm, police arrested more than 70 of them on suspicion of breaching conditions.

The protest coincided with news that Israel’s cabinet has approved a Gaza ceasefire deal, which will pause the fighting and see the release of dozens of hostages held by militants, as well as Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

Meanwhile, more than 1,000 people gathered in Waterloo for the London Women’s March, with many carrying signs protesting male violence and laws perceived to restrict women’s rights. The crowd, primarily made up of women, marched towards Parliament, where the event will conclude.

The news comes as Israel's cabinet approved the Gaza ceasefire deal that would pause the fighting and release dozens of hostages held by militants, along with Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

Protesters targeting the BBC were planning to gather in Portland Place before marching to Whitehall but the Met blocked the planned route after concerns about the proximity to a synagogue. A police presence of over 1,000 officers has been promised to ensure no-one breaches conditions put on the protest.

Please scroll down for the latest updates from the protests.

That's it from the Standard's live blog covering the Westminster protests on Saturday

20:22 , Anthony France

Our reporting team will be back on Sunday morning.

More than 70 protesters arrested in Trafalgar Square after police line broken

20:17 , Anthony France

Around 77 people have been arrested in Trafalgar Square on suspicion of breaching protest conditions after demonstrators broke through a police line as they marched from a rally in Whitehall.

In an update, the Metropolitan Police said there was a coordinated effort to cause serious disruption to Londoners.

Commander Adam Slonecki, who led the policing operation, said: “We have policed more than 20 national protests organised by the PSC since October 2023.

“This is the highest number of arrests we have seen, in response to the most significant escalation in criminality.

“We could not have been clearer about the conditions in place. Protesters were to remain in Whitehall with no march towards the BBC.

“Our relationship with protest organisers has to be based on trust and good faith. If they say they will act responsibly and lawfully we need to be able to know those are genuine assurances.

“That is why it was so deeply disappointing to see a deliberate effort, involving organisers of the demonstration, to breach the conditions and attempt to march out of Whitehall.

“Officers responded bravely and decisively, ensuring they got no further than Trafalgar Square and certainly nowhere near their target.

“I am quite confident this was a coordinated breach with the intention being to reach the BBC at Portland Place in defiance of the conditions. There is video footage of one of the organisers clearly inciting the crowd to join a march and one of the organisations involved has released a statement this evening confirming as much.

“At the same time as the group was attempting to force its way past police lines, camera crews were seen arriving in Portland Place. It is unlikely that the timing was simply a coincidence.

“We are in possession of footage from officers’ body worn cameras, from CCTV and from social media. We know who was involved in leading the movement of so many people through police lines. Investigations are now underway and we will make every effort to bring prosecutions against those we identify.”

Jeremy Corbyn: Countries that supply weapons to Israel complicit in war crimes

18:46 , Anthony France

At the rally, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said there would be “a lot more demonstrations”, adding: “This ceasefire is obviously a step forward in the sense that the killing will stop.

“But even since it was announced 100 more people have been killed in Gaza. More people have been arrested on the West Bank and the occupation of the West Bank continues.”

Mr Corbyn, who now sits as an independent MP for Islington North, went on: “Our demands … are of course in solidarity with the Palestinian people, but they’re also demands on the Government of this country … The International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice have met and decided in terms that Netanyahu is a war criminal and should be arrested and that acts of a genocidal nature have been committed by the IDF in Gaza.

“I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. That means that those countries that supply the weapons that commit those war crimes are themselves knowingly complicit in war crimes against the Palestinian people.”

Youth group says three supporters arrested outside BBC HQ

18:21 , Anthony France

Campaign group Youth Demand said three of its supporters were arrested on suspicion of breaching conditions after they stood outside the BBC headquarters with signs – one of them reading: “Can I protest here?”

A spokesman for the organisation said: “We will not comply with the repressive conditions imposed by the Met Police in order to silence dissent and protect the interests of a genocidal state.”

Muslim group slams Metropolitan Police’s decision to block Trafalgar Square march

18:09 , Anthony France

The Muslim Association of Britain criticised the Metropolitan Police’s decision to block the march, calling it “an outrageous assault on democracy, freedom of assembly, and freedom of expression”.

“Silencing peaceful protesters who stand against genocide and in solidarity with the oppressed is not only undemocratic but shameful,” the MAB said in a statement.

At the rally, The Crown star Khalid Abdalla said in an address: “Tomorrow phase one of the ceasefire begins. It remains to be seen if the ceasefire will hold or if the blood shed since it was announced augurs what it will become.

“But still we will have cause to celebrate whatever its shape for the respite in this genocide, for the return of the hostages, for the release of prisoners.”

The actor, who played Dodi Al-Fayed in the series, continued: “But while we do so we must be clear, tomorrow is already yesterday’s nightmare.

“A ceasefire is normally a situation in which warring parties return to peace when the bombs stop falling but for Palestinians, at best, this ceasefire is a continuation of occupation and apartheid.”

Watch: Women’s rights march taking place at Parliament in Westminster

17:29 , Anthony France

Twenty-two rallies are taking place nationwide on Saturday as part of the UK Women’s Rights March, including one protest outside Parliament.

Officers arrest 20 to 30 pro-Palestinian activists

17:05

Officers are arresting a group of around 20 to 30 pro-Palestinian protesters on suspicion of breaching conditions, the Metropolitan Police said.

It comes after demonstrators broke a police line as they marched from a static rally in Whitehall to Trafalgar Square on Saturday afternoon.

In a post on X, the force said: “Around 20 to 30 people who breached the conditions are still contained in Trafalgar Square. They are being arrested.

“Others have already been arrested.”

Protesters warned to disperse or face arrest

16:53 , Anthony France

Protesters met a line of police officers and eventually broke through, with those who made it to Trafalgar Square later finding themselves being held in one corner.

One masked activist stood on top of a police car waving a Palestine flag.

Met Police call on protestors in area to disperse

15:47 , Will Mata

Police have warned protesters who "forced" their way through a police line and are now being held in Trafalgar Square they must disperse.

Some of the demonstrators marched towards the central London landmark from a Palestine Solidarity Campaign rally in Whitehall, breaking through a police line in the process.

The Metropolitan Police said in a post on X: "The group that forced its way through the police line is now held at the north-west corner of Trafalgar Square.

"Anyone in that group should now disperse and leave the area. Anyone remaining in breach of the conditions, or inciting further breaches, will be arrested."

Ultra-Orthodox Jews march in support of Palestine state

15:45 , Will Mata

Ultra-Orthodox Jews have marched in support of Palestinians in Gaza, holding placards at a demonstration in London.

Their signs read messages of support for Palestine to be returned to its own soverignty.

Speakers announce they will walk to BBC offices

15:41 , William Mata

Speakers at the pro-Palestine protest in central London have announced they will walk peacefully from the stage near Downing Street to the BBC.

They added that if police stop them "which they probably will", they will leave flowers at their feet "to mark their complicity".

Protestors being held in corner of Trafalgar Square

15:37 , Will Mata

Protesters are being held in a corner of Trafalgar Square in central London.

One masked activist stood on top of a police car waving a Palestine flag.

Members of the public who found themselves caught up in the demonstration are trying to find a way out of Trafalgar Square.

One person who asked a police officer why people could not move was told "because it's an illegal march at the moment".

Jeremy Corbyn spotted among Palestine protestors

15:27 , Will Mata

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is among the demonstrators walking from

Whitehall towards Trafalgar Square after speeches made at a Palestine Solidarity Campaign protest in central London.

Marchers break through a police line

15:25 , William Mata

Marchers trying to get to Trafalgar Square have broken through a police line.

Police held the demonstrators back until they began to push and minor scuffles broke out during the Palestine Solidarity Campaign protest in Whitehall, central London.

Seventh person arrested

13:56 , Will Mata

A man has been arrested at a pro-Palestine rally in central London on suspicion of holding a placard suggesting support for banned organisations, the Metropolitan Police said.

It brings the total arrests at the protest so far to seven. The force said in a post on X: “Officers are actively looking at banners and placards to spot where people cross the line from political speech into criminality.

“One man has been arrested for holding a placard suggesting support for proscribed organisations, bringing the number of arrests so far to seven.”

Video of the London Women's March

13:52 , Chloe Cobham

Six arrests so far

13:39 , Will Mata

So far there have been six arrests at the Palestine rally, the Met Police has said.

Four of these were for public order offences and two for breaching the conditions that have been put in place.

A statement added: “Officers are actively looking at banners and placards to spot where people cross the line from political speech into criminality.

“One man has been arrested for holding a placard suggesting support for proscribed organisations, bringing the number of arrests so far to seven.”

Pictures of woman being led away

13:37 , Will Mata

Pictures have now been shared online of a woman being led away by police as part of the pro-Palestine rally.

Reports said a woman was laid on the ground amid angry scenes at the beginning of the event, although tensions are now understood to have eased.

Pro-Palestine rally continues after earlier restlessness

13:26 , Will Mata

Early signs of restlessness from pro-Palestine protesters in central London appeared to ease ahead of speeches from a stage set up outside the gates of Downing Street in Whitehall.

The crowd chanted "from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" and "in our thousands in our millions, we are all Palestinians".

Pictures: London Women's March begins from Waterloo

13:25 , Will Mata

Video as pro-Palestine protestors gather for rally

13:12 , Will Mata

London Women's March also under way

13:05 , Will Mata

Meanwhile, in nearby Waterloo an estimated crowd of around 1,000 have started the London Women’s March.

Our reporter Chloe Cobham at the scene described the crowd as being “mostly female” and sharing “positive vibes”.

The march will now head towards Old Palace Yard outside the Houses of Parliament.

More pictures as crowds now out in force

12:57 , Will Mata

Hundreds now gathered in Whitehall

12:53 , Will Mata

Hundreds of people have started to gather in Whitehall for the Palestine Solidarity Campaign protest.

There is a heavy police presence, with protesters holding signs that read "Gaza. Stop the massacre" and "Stop arming Israel".

A large group of people marched from Trafalgar Square holding a banner that reads "Labour, Tories, BBC. You show Russia's crimes but hide Israel's. Why?"

Women laid on the ground by police

12:50 , Will Mata

A woman was laid on the ground as a group of police officers appeared to be detaining her during the Palestine Solidarity Campaign protest in Whitehall, central London.

A large crowd surrounded the officers shouting "you're a disgrace, "shame on you" and "let her go".

A minor scuffle broke out as police attempt to push protesters away.

Officers then took the woman behind some barriers while protesters continued to chant "let her go".

Masked protestor led away by police

12:50 , Will Mata

A masked protester wearing a Celtic football tracksuit has been handcuffed by police and escorted away from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign protest in Whitehall, central London.

A large group followed with megaphones chanting: "let him go".

Photos: Protest gets underway in London

11:49 , Will Mata

Significant police presence sets up

10:52 , Will Mata

The Met has established a ‘significant’ police presence around Portland Place ahead of the static protest.

The force has tweeted the parameter within which protesting is allowed.

“There is a condition in place preventing anyone involved in the PSC protest from entering a defined area around Portland Place.

“Officers have been deployed since early this morning to ensure that condition is not breached.”

Full story: Gaza ceasefire to begin on Sunday as Israel approves deal

10:36 , Will Mata

The Israeli government has approved a ceasefire in Gaza and a deal to release dozens of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, pausing the 15-month war with Hamas for six weeks.

The ceasefire, announced by mediators in Qatar and the US on Wednesday, was confirmed by the Israeli government last night and is set to begin on Sunday.

Under the agreement, 33 of the 98 hostages held by Hamas will be freed over the course of six weeks. About half of the hostages are believed to be alive. The remaining hostages are to be released in a second phase, which will be negotiated during the initial ceasefire.

In return, between 990 and 1,650 Palestinian prisoners and detainees will be released, depending on the number of hostages freed.

Michael Howie has the full story here.

Israel's full Cabinet approves the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal

09:39 , Will Mata

Israel's Cabinet has approved the Gaza ceasefire deal that would pause the fighting and release dozens of hostages held by militants, along with Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

The approval came early on Saturday after a marathon session by the full Cabinet. The prime minister's office has said that once the deal is approved, the ceasefire could start on Sunday with the first hostages released. This would be just the second ceasefire achieved in 15 months of war.

Under the deal, 33 hostages are set to be released over the next six weeks, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. The remaining hostages, including male soldiers, are to be released in a second phase that will be negotiated during the first. The Hamas militant group has said it will not release the remaining captives without a lasting ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal.

Woman arrested for inciting others to breach the peace

09:37 , Will Mata

The Met Police has said a woman had been arrested for inciting others to breach the force's restrictions.

The 61-year-old woman was arrested on Friday on suspicion of inciting others to breach Public Order Act conditions after she was allegedly heard at a rally on January 10 encouraging other protesters to do so, police said.

The Met said further investigations into other allegations of inciting people to breach conditions are ongoing.

Police pledge 'visible presence'

09:02 , Will Mata

Deputy assistant commissioner Ade Adelekan said more than 1,100 officers are due to be deployed on Saturday, with 200 coming from other forces.

Questioned on whether the Met was putting a ring of steel around Broadcasting House, he said: "I wouldn't describe it as a ring of steel.

"What I would describe it as is a visible presence of officers in and around the BBC/Portland Place area and surrounding streets.

"Firstly, their role is to engage with people, make sure people understand the conditions that are around there, and generally do their policing duties as they would do every day.

"If anyone is considering breaching those conditions, we have brought officers in from other forces, eight other forces, to assist - so we have got significant forces to enforce any breaches of conditions."

Pro Palestine march replaced with static rally

08:12 , Will Mata

The pro-Palestine march which had been planned for central London has been replaced with a static protest at Whitehall.

A bitter row had previously broken out between the Met Police and Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) over proposals for the large pro-Palestine march to take place outside the BBC headquarters at Portland Place, with the force insisting that a protest there would risk “serious disruption” at a nearby synagogue.

The police had been in discussions with the PSC as well as community groups for weeks about plans for a march from Portland Place to Whitehall.

The force used powers under the Public Order Act to prevent the rally from gathering in the area.

The PSC now plans to hold the static rally in Whitehall, describing the Met's conditions as "repressive".