Manhunt After Assault On Police Officer At Tommy Robinson Demo

Police want to speak to this man in relation to the incident in Westminster on August 24.
Images show the individual wearing a black and white T-shirt with the logo of the band Kiss on the front
Images show the individual wearing a black and white T-shirt with the logo of the band Kiss on the front
PA

Detectives have appealed for help identifying a man after an assault on a police officer during a protest in central London.

The Metropolitan Police released photos of the man they want to speak to in relation to an incident in Westminster on August 24.

Images show him wearing a back-to-front peaked cap, dark shorts and a black and white T-shirt with the logo of the band Kiss on the front.

Police said that on the day of the assault, supporters of Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, had staged a protest which coincided with a counter-protest by groups including Stand up to Racism at the same time and location.

Shortly after 11.30am, “a number of people attempted to physically breach a police cordon” in Portland Place, Scotland Yard said in a statement.

It added: “As part of this, an officer was violently pushed by one or more people.

“Police are now releasing an image of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the incident.”

A woman in her 30s was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and has been bailed to return on a date in late September, police said.

Detective Sergeant Chris Rudd, who is leading the investigation into the incident, said: “Our officers work hard to protect the rights of those who wish to protest, and our main aim is to reduce the potential for violence, disorder and disruption to communities.

“Assaults on police officers - who are there to ensure the safety of those attending such protests - are entirely unacceptable, and we will work tirelessly to investigate incidents of this nature.

“I appeal to anyone who has information on this individual to come forward in complete confidence.”

The incident follows an assault on a police medic during an earlier rally in support of Robinson and a counter-demonstration by the anti-racism group on August 3.

The officer was dragged to the ground and kicked in the head in a “sickening and cowardly” attack at a “violent protest”.

Video footage posted on social media appeared to show the male medic being dragged to the ground and surrounded by a group of Yaxley-Lennon supporters.

On Friday it was revealed that Yaxley-Lennon, the founder of the English Defence League, had been released from jail two months after being given a nine-month sentence for contempt of court.

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