Hundreds of demonstrators descended on Whitehall to protest against far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson’s arrest for allegedly breaching the peace outside a Leeds courthouse.

The area had to be closed to traffic as the group gathered outside Downing Street on Saturday afternoon.

The demonstration came after the founder of the English Defence League – real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – was detained by officers while streaming a Facebook live video outside a grooming trial in the West Yorkshire city on Friday morning.

He currently remains in custody.

Furious followers, mainly white men, can be heard in videos of the demonstration singing Robinson’s name. Footage shows one man being lifted atop of gates before turning to the crowd and pumping his fist, while others chant “shame on you” to authorities.

Members of the crowd can be seen holding aloft “#FreeTommy” signs or waving flags, including the St George’s Cross, the Union Jack and the Ukip logo.

At least one protester was seen carrying a 'White Lives Matter' placard. Footage of the demonstration showed some of those present involved in minor scuffles with police.

The protest later moved to Parliament Square but the Met Police said there had been no arrests.

Online, meanwhile, some 70,000 people have signed a petition calling for Mr Robinson to be freed.

‘Free Tommy Robinson’ protest – in pictures Show all 11 1 /11 ‘Free Tommy Robinson’ protest – in pictures ‘Free Tommy Robinson’ protest – in pictures Alamy Live News. MRAPET London, UK. 26th May, 2018. Free Tommy Robinson Protest Credit: Knelstrom Ltd/Alamy Live News This is an Alamy Live News image and may not be part of your current Alamy deal . If you are unsure, please contact our sales team to check. Alamy Live News ‘Free Tommy Robinson’ protest – in pictures Alamy Live News. MRANC7 London UK 26th May 2018 Far-right supporters protest outside Downing Street demanding release of Tommy Robinson who was arrested for breach of the peace outside a court house in Leeds on the 25th May on suspicion of breaching the peace. Credit: Thabo Jaiyesimi/Alamy Live News This is an Alamy Live News image and may not be part of your current Alamy deal . If you are unsure, please contact our sales team to check. Alamy Live News ‘Free Tommy Robinson’ protest – in pictures Alamy Live News. MRAPET London, UK. 26th May, 2018. Free Tommy Robinson Protest Credit: Knelstrom Ltd/Alamy Live News This is an Alamy Live News image and may not be part of your current Alamy deal . If you are unsure, please contact our sales team to check. Alamy Live News ‘Free Tommy Robinson’ protest – in pictures Mandatory Credit: Photo by Penelope Barritt/REX (9694234f) Protest outside Downing Street to free far right activist Tommy Robinson who was arrested for breach of the peace outside a courthouse in Leeds on the 25th May, where a grooming trial is reportedly underway. Free Tommy Robinson protest, London, UK - 26 May 2018 Rex ‘Free Tommy Robinson’ protest – in pictures Alamy Live News. MRAPET London, UK. 26th May, 2018. Free Tommy Robinson Protest Credit: Knelstrom Ltd/Alamy Live News This is an Alamy Live News image and may not be part of your current Alamy deal . If you are unsure, please contact our sales team to check. Alamy Live News ‘Free Tommy Robinson’ protest – in pictures Alamy Live News. MRAGRC London, UK, 26 May 2018. 26th May, 2018. Protest outside Downing Street to free far right activist Tommy Robinson who was arrested for breach of the peace outside a courthouse in Leeds on the 25th May, where a grooming trial is reportedly underway. Penelope Barritt/Alamy Live News This is an Alamy Live News image and may not be part of your current Alamy deal . If you are unsure, please contact our sales team to check. Alamy Live News ‘Free Tommy Robinson’ protest – in pictures 26 may 2018. Protests in London over the arrest of Tommy Robinson included scuffles with police Credit: Londonphotos/Alamy Live News Alamy Live News ‘Free Tommy Robinson’ protest – in pictures Mandatory Credit: Photo by Penelope Barritt/REX (9694234o) Protest outside Downing Street to free far right activist Tommy Robinson who was arrested for breach of the peace outside a courthouse in Leeds on the 25th May, where a grooming trial is reportedly underway. Free Tommy Robinson protest, London, UK - 26 May 2018 Rex ‘Free Tommy Robinson’ protest – in pictures Mandatory Credit: Photo by Penelope Barritt/REX (9694234h) Protest outside Downing Street to free far right activist Tommy Robinson who was arrested for breach of the peace outside a courthouse in Leeds on the 25th May, where a grooming trial is reportedly underway. Free Tommy Robinson protest, London, UK - 26 May 2018 Rex ‘Free Tommy Robinson’ protest – in pictures Mandatory Credit: Photo by Penelope Barritt/REX (9694234r) Protest outside Downing Street to free far right activist Tommy Robinson who was arrested for breach of the peace outside a courthouse in Leeds on the 25th May, where a grooming trial is reportedly underway. Free Tommy Robinson protest, London, UK - 26 May 2018 Rex ‘Free Tommy Robinson’ protest – in pictures Protester and signs Alamy Live News

Robinson co-founded the English Defence League (EDL) in 2009 and has been arrested numerous times during demonstrations and at fights between football fans. He was jailed for mortgage fraud in 2014.

After claiming to have made friends with Muslim prisoners during his time in prison, he tried to launch a British branch of the German anti-Islam group Pegida in 2015.