A police medic suffered a facial injury after protesters scuffled with police during a gathering by supporters of Tommy Robinson

A police medic suffered a facial injury as a rally demanding the release of jailed far-right activist Tommy Robinson descended into violence today.

The event was held outside Downing Street in support of the English Defence League (EDL) founder, who is serving a 13-month prison sentence for contempt of court.

Speakers included Geert Wilders, the populist right-wing Dutch politician who failed to take power in last year’s elections, and Janice Atkinson, an MEP who was expelled from Ukip for “bringing the party into disrepute”.

Supporters of English Defence League co-founder Robinson clashed with police in Whitehall, London SIMON DAWSON/REUTERS

After the speeches the crowd turned on police overseeing the event, with footage posted online showing Robinson’s supporters hurling projectiles at a small group of officers they had surrounded. Another clip showed the protesters rushing at the officers, who were forced