More than 100 people were arrested at the far-right protest in London yesterday, including a 28-year-old who is suspected of urinating on the memorial dedicated to PC Keith Palmer.

Six police officers suffered minor injuries in violent clashes with several hundred demonstrators, mostly white men, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson has condemned the protest as "racist thuggery."

The protest was organised by a a number of far-right groups and football hooligan organisations, claiming they wanted to protect statues such as Winston Churchill from vandalism.

But the demonstration turned violent after hundreds of self-proclaimed "statue defenders" took over areas near the Houses of Parliament and Trafalgar Square and hurled missiles, smoke grenades, glass bottles and flares at police officers.

Many of those present were drinking, and there were a number of clashes with police in riot gear as crowds chanting "Tommy Robinson" and "England" while raising their arms surged towards lines of officers.

At one point, a man taking part in the protests was pictured urinating next to a memorial to PC Keith Palmer, who was stabbed to death in the 2017 terror attack in Westminster.

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In a statement, Metropolitan Police Commander Bas Javid said: "We are aware of a disgusting and abhorrent image circulating on social media of a man appearing to urinate on a memorial to Pc Palmer. I feel for Pc Palmer's family, friends, and colleagues."

Outbursts of violence continued around the city after the 5pm deadline had passed, with the last few protesters removed from Parliament Square at around 6.45pm.

By 9pm, more than 100 people were arrested during the protest for offences including breach of the peace, violent disorder, assault on officers, possession of an offensive weapon, possession of class A drugs, and drunk and disorder.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson slammed the "racist thuggery" witnessed at the protests.

He wrote on Twitter: "Racist thuggery has no place on our streets. Anyone attacking the police will be met with full force of the law.

"These marches and protests have been subverted by violence and breach current guidelines.

"Racism has no part in the UK and we must work together to make that a reality."

London Ambulance Service said it had treated 15 people for injuries, including two police officers.

The violent scenes in Westminster contrasted with peaceful demonstrations that took place at Hyde Park and Marble Arch by anti-racism protesters in support of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement.

While the official BLM protest had been called off over fears of conflict, there were reports of some skirmishes between anti-racism protesters and members of far-right groups outside Waterloo Station.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the violence against police had been "completely unacceptable".

He tweeted: "Today's (Saturday) protests in London were led by those intent on causing violence and sowing hate for their own ends. We must not let them win."

MP Tobias Ellwood, who gave first aid to Pc Palmer as he lay dying after being stabbed to death in the grounds of Parliament by Khalid Masood in 2017, said the image of the man urinating next to the memorial was "abhorrent".

Speaking to BBC News, he said the man should come forward and apologise.