18 May 2026

Sir Mark Rowley Commissioner Metropolitan Police Service New Scotland Yard London

Dear Commissioner Rowley,

Re: Formal concern regarding the “Unite the Kingdom” march – 16 May 2026

I am writing on behalf of the Rochdale Council of Mosques to express our deep concern and disappointment regarding the “Unite the Kingdom” march held in London on Saturday 16 May 2026, and the reported Islamophobic behaviour, rhetoric, and intimidation associated with the event.

We have seen widely circulated video footage and social media content from the march which appears to show individuals, including speakers and attendees, engaging in openly anti-Muslim chanting, abusive language, and incitement towards hostility against Muslims. Among the reported slogans and statements were:

• “Who the F*** is Allah”
• “Islam should be banned”
• Calls for Muslims to be removed from the United Kingdom

These expressions, if accurately represented, are deeply offensive, inflammatory, and contribute to a climate of hostility and fear towards Muslim communities across the country. Of particular concern is that such messages were reportedly amplified by speakers and echoed by sections of the crowd throughout the demonstration.

We are also concerned by reports of further incidents, including:

• Individuals holding placards stating “F*** Islam, Christ is King”
• Three French women reportedly spreading hostile messaging directed at Muslim women who wear the niqab, including comments that sexualised and dehumanised Muslim women
• Social media posts from attendees suggesting that British Muslims do not belong in the country and should be expelled
• Racially abusing black and brown police officers

Taken together, these incidents risk normalising Islamophobia in public discourse and increasing fear and insecurity among Muslim communities, particularly women and young people who are already disproportionately affected by hate crime.

We are deeply concerned that these actions appear contrary to the UK Government’s recent guidance and national framework on tackling anti-Muslim hatred and religiously aggravated hate crime. The language and conduct reported at this event appear designed to stir up hostility against Muslims as a protected religious group and risk encouraging discrimination, intimidation, and exclusion within wider society.

The Equality Act 2010 places clear duties upon public authorities, including policing bodies, to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation, and conduct that fosters hatred or hostility against people because of religion or race. The Public Sector Equality Duty also requires public authorities to actively foster good relations between communities and challenge conduct which promotes prejudice and hatred.

Furthermore, some of the reported behaviour may potentially engage offences under:

• The Public Order Act 1986, including the use of threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour intended or likely to stir up religious hatred.
• Provisions relating to racially and religiously aggravated offences under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.
• Hate crime guidance issued to police forces regarding the protection of minority communities from targeted hostility and intimidation.

We are therefore concerned that, from what has been publicly visible, there appears to have been little or no visible enforcement action taken during the march. This has raised serious questions within our communities about the consistency, proportionality, and effectiveness of policing in addressing hate speech and public-order offences when they are directed at Muslims.

The perception that openly anti-Muslim abuse can occur publicly in the nation’s capital without immediate intervention risks undermining confidence in policing among British Muslim communities and may embolden further acts of hatred and extremism.

We respectfully request clarification on the following points:

1. What immediate actions were taken by the Metropolitan Police during the march in response to reported Islamophobic chanting, hate speech, and racially aggravated abuse?
2. Whether any individuals have been arrested, investigated, or are being considered for prosecution in connection with these incidents?
3. Whether the Metropolitan Police are reviewing video footage and social media evidence to identify individuals responsible for inciting religious hatred or racially aggravated conduct?
4. How the Metropolitan Police ensure consistent enforcement of hate crime legislation and public-order laws during large public demonstrations?
5. What steps are being taken to reassure affected Muslim communities following this event and prevent similar incidents in the future?

We fully recognise and support the importance of the right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression. However, these rights must always be exercised within the boundaries of the law and must not be used as a platform to incite hatred, hostility, discrimination, or intimidation against protected religious groups.

British Muslims must be afforded the same protection, dignity, and safeguarding from hate crime and public hostility as any other faith or minority community.

We would welcome a clear and timely response outlining the actions taken and the measures being implemented to prevent such incidents in the future.

Yours sincerely,

Tahir Mahmood Chair, Rochdale Council of Mosques