Scotland Yard has confirmed it is investigating chants heard at Sunday’s Al Quds Day demonstration in central London, after a speaker led crowds in calls for “death to the IDF” at the static protest.
The speaker, identified as Pascal Robinson-Foster — known professionally as Bobby Vylan of punk duo Bob Vylan — addressed attendees before the crowd joined in the chanting. Robinson-Foster faced similar scrutiny last year following a performance at Glastonbury 2025, when police ultimately did not pursue criminal charges after the Crown Prosecution Service determined there was insufficient evidence to proceed.
The Met confirmed it had sought CPS guidance on that previous incident and said the same chanting is now under fresh investigation. The CPS said it was aware of Sunday’s events, adding that it carefully considers all cases referred for charging decisions and works with police where evidence falls short of the threshold required.
“Hateful chanting or waving of offensive flags may constitute an offence,” a CPS spokesperson said, warning that behaviour going beyond lawful protest would be prosecuted.
Sunday’s demonstrations took place under significantly restricted conditions. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood had approved a Metropolitan Police request to ban the annual Al Quds march — a power not exercised since 2012 — citing serious fears of public disorder. While no law prevents static protests, organisers were confined to fixed locations, a measure police said would make it easier to keep opposing groups apart.
Around 1,000 officers were deployed across the capital. Lambeth Bridge was closed during the afternoon. Twelve people were arrested across both the protest and counter-protest on charges including support for a proscribed organisation, affray, dangerous driving, and threatening behaviour.
The Met noted that those organising the Al Quds event are considered supportive of the Iranian regime, though organisers described it as a pro-Palestinian protest. Attendees waved Iranian flags, held images of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and displayed placards. Chants of “from the river to the sea” were also heard.
On the north bank of the Thames, counter-protesters gathered in separate groups including Stop the Hate, Lion Guard of Iran, and the Free Iran Coalition. Israeli flags were visible among the crowd.
Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said the policing operation was successful, noting attendance was significantly lower than expected and describing the ban as “the right decision.”
Al Quds Day, named after the Arabic word for Jerusalem, has been held annually since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, typically on the last Friday of Ramadan, with the largest gatherings taking place in Iran.
The Metropolitan Police investigation into the chanting remains ongoing.
