LIVE: Police 'face aggression' as counter protesters gather near London Cenotaph ahead of Palestine demo on Armistice Day

There have been clashes between police and counter-protesters who gathered near the Cenotaph in central London ahead of a pro-Palestine demonstration on Armistice Day.

The Palestine demo later today is expected to be one of the largest political marches in British history.

This morning, a large crowd of people bearing St George’s flags was seen walking along Embankment and shouting “England till I die” shortly after 10am on Saturday.

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Scuffles broke out as police attempted to stop them from reaching Whitehall but the group pushed through, with some shouting “let’s have them” as officers hit out with batons.

A service took place at the Cenotaph on Whitehall at 11am, which passed off peacefully, and a two-minute silence was observed.

The Met Police posted on X, formerly Twitter: “While the two minutes’ silence was marked respectfully and without incident on Whitehall, officers have faced aggression from counter-protesters who are in the area in significant numbers.”

The force added that it “will use all the powers and tactics available to us to prevent” the counter-protesters from confronting the main march.

Meanwhile, hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters were arriving at Hyde Park near the designated starting point for the march on Saturday morning, which is due to set off at noon.

Many were carrying Palestinian flags while others clutch placards emblazoned with slogans such as “free Palestine”, “hands of al Aqsa”, “end Israeli apartheid” and “end the siege” and “baby killer Biden stop arming Israel”.

Organisers of the demonstration calling for a ceasefire between Hamas