Far-right protesters demanding the release of jailed EDL founder Tommy Robinson brought chaos to central London after blockading a bus being driven by a woman in a headscarf.

Dozens of demonstrators, some of whom were drinking, stopped the vehicle from moving in Trafalgar Square before passengers were ushered away.

The group pushed “Britain Loves Trump” posters onto the vehicle’s windscreen.

But protesters appeared on the brink of fighting among themselves as some demanded the bus be let through while others rattled its sides.

Police were present throughout the incident but did not move in until reinforcements arrived. One liaison officer said they did not want to escalate the situation.

The Metropolitan Police’s events team tweeted: “There is now a protest in the road at Trafalgar Square, and consequently there is currently no vehicle movement around the Square.”

The bus driver appeared unperturbed throughout. When politely asking the demonstrators to move failed, she remained sat at the wheel rolling her eyes. She was allowed to drive on after approximately 30 minutes after police finally cleared the road.

Twelve people were arrested in total throughout the day for a range of public order offences, although it remained unclear if any were connected with the bus blockade.

In once incident a union leader is said to have been attacked at a nearby pub. Steve Hedley, senior assistant general secretary of the RMT, had spoken at a separate counter-protest in Jubilee Gardens and said he was later the victim of an “unprovoked” assault in the Westminster Arms.

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march in London 14 July 2018 Taken by Angela Christofilou Credit: The Independent The Independent The Independent Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release Protesters blocked a bus being driven by a woman in a headscarf Staff Photographer Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release EDL block the roads in London Staff Photographer Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release EDL fly the St George flag at a Tommy Robinson support rally Staff Photographer Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release Protesters hold up placards and wave Union flags AFP/Getty Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release Tommy Robinson march in London 14 July 2018 Taken by Angela Christofilou Credit: The Independent The Independent The Independent Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release Tommy Robinson march in London 14 July 2018 Taken by Angela Christofilou Credit: The Independent The Independent The Independent Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release Supporters of English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson REUTERS Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release EDL shout through pub window REUTERS Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release Tommy Robinson march in London 14 July 2018 Taken by Angela Christofilou Credit: The Independent The Independent The Independent Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release Tommy Robinson march in London 14 July 2018 Taken by Angela Christofilou Credit: The Independent The Independent The Independent Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release Supporters of English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson are confronted by police REUTERS Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release Tommy Robinson march in London 14 July 2018 Taken by Angela Christofilou Credit: The Independent The Independent The Independent Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release EDL display the St George flag to a bus driver Staff Photographer Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release Tommy Robinson march in London 14 July 2018 Taken by Angela Christofilou Credit: The Independent The Independent The Independent Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release EDL supporters in London Staff Photographer Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release Tommy Robinson march in London 14 July 2018 Taken by Angela Christofilou Credit: The Independent The Independent The Independent Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release Tommy Robinson march in London 14 July 2018 Taken by Angela Christofilou Credit: The Independent The Independent The Independent Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release Tommy Robinson march in London 14 July 2018 Taken by Angela Christofilou Credit: The Independent The Independent The Independent Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release Tommy Robinson march in London 14 July 2018 Taken by Angela Christofilou Credit: The Independent The Independent The Independent Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release Tommy Robinson march in London 14 July 2018 Taken by Angela Christofilou Credit: The Independent The Independent The Independent Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release Tommy Robinson march in London 14 July 2018 Taken by Angela Christofilou Credit: The Independent The Independent The Independent Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release EDL in Trafalgar Square Staff Photographer Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release Tommy Robinson march in London 14 July 2018 Taken by Angela Christofilou Credit: The Independent The Independent The Independent Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release Tommy Robinson march in London 14 July 2018 Taken by Angela Christofilou Credit: The Independent The Independent The Independent Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release Tommy Robinson march in London 14 July 2018 Taken by Angela Christofilou Credit: The Independent The Independent The Independent Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release Pro-Tommy Robinson suport topless holds up a bus Staff Photographer Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release Tommy Robinson march in London 14 July 2018 Taken by Angela Christofilou Credit: The Independent The Independent The Independent Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release Tommy Robinson march in London 14 July 2018 Taken by Angela Christofilou Credit: The Independent The Independent The Independent Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release Police stop EDL Staff Photographer Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release Tommy Robinson march in London 14 July 2018 Taken by Angela Christofilou Credit: The Independent The Independent The Independent Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release Tommy Robinson march in London 14 July 2018 Taken by Angela Christofilou Credit: The Independent The Independent The Independent Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release EDL hold up traffic in London Staff Photographer Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release Bus and passengers held up by EDL fury Staff Photographer Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release Free Tommy Robinson supporters and Pro-Trump supporters come together on Whitehall PA Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release Protest placards REUTERS Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release Protesters hold up placards at a rally by supporters of far-right spokesman Tommy Robinson AFP/Getty Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release Protesters march down Whitehall in support of far-right Tommy Robinson AFP/Getty Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release London EDL protests REUTERS Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release Demonstrators hold banners supporting EDF founder Tommy Robinson and President Trump REUTERS Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release A protester dressed as a knight takes part in a rally by supporters of far-right spokesman Tommy Robinson in central London following the jailing of Tommy Robinson for contempt of court AFP/Getty Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release Free Tommy Robinson supporters PA Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release Protesters march down Whitehall AFP/Getty Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release Supporters of English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson REUTERS Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release Supporters of English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson demonstrate REUTERS Tommy Robinson march: Far-right protesters demand EDL founder release Supporters of English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson clash with police REUTERS

A Twitter post showed him covered in blood, though the identity or affiliation of his assailants was not clear.

Earlier in Whitehall anti-Islam chants and pro-Trump cheering were heard as a series of speakers addressed the combined “Free Tommy Robinson” and “Welcome Donald Trump” rallies.

An inflatable pig with a mask of London mayor Sadiq Khan attached to it was passed about the 6,000-strong crowd. Mr Khan has repeatedly clashed with Mr Trump on Twitter and in the press.

One banner labelled Angela Merkel, Germany’s chancellor, “Merc***”. Two fireworks were let off in the middle of the mass.

Ukip’s new leader Gerard Batten and controversial US congressman Paul Gosar were among those who spoke. Geert Wilders, the far-right Dutch politician, starred via a pre-recorded video message. In a 10-minute tirade, he appeared to suggest Robinson, who founded the English Defence League, attempt to become prime minister.

“Tommy does not deserve jail,” he said. “Tommy deserves a medal…You are the pride of this nation. Around the corner is Downing Street 10. And who lives there? Theresa May. But who deserves to live there? Tommy Robinson.”

He added: “Tommy, if you hear this, know this: I say we will never abandon you. We will not rest until you are a free man.”

To the side of the stage, one protester – a can of lager by his hand – snoozed under a tree.

An earlier march had largely failed to materialise when only 100 or so people turned up to Temple Place, near Embankment, to walk to Whitehall. The vast majority of protesters appeared to have spent the early afternoon, instead, outside Whitehall’s pubs soaking up the sun.