PM condemns protesters who use England flag as symbol of violence

Exclusive Comments follow biggest nationalist rally in UK for decades

- Jessica Elgot, Ben Quinn

Britain will "never surrender" to far-right protesters who use the English flag as cover for violence, Keir Starmer has said, condemning attacks against police officers and racist harassment.

The prime minister said that the St George's flag "represents our diverse country" and he would not tolerate people being "intimidated on our streets because of their background or the colour of their skin".

MPs and anti-fascist groups had urged the prime minister to speak up against some of the rhetoric of the largest nationalist protest in decades, held in London and organised by the far-right activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.

The pressure on Downing Street to be more proactive in defence of diversity came after 10 days of dissatisfaction from MPs over the handling of Angela Rayner's resignation, the ensuing reshuffle and the sacking of the US ambassador, Peter Mandelson, over his links to Jeffrey Epstein.

The prime minister will host Donald Trump for a state visit this week, during which it is likely Starmer will face questions on Mandelson and rightwing talking points from journalists.

In his first comment on Saturday's march, Starmer said yesterday that there was a right to peaceful protest but that violence and intimidation were unacceptable, and he condemned the appropriation of the St George's flag of England by far-right, anti-immigration protesters.