Thousands of Tommy Robinson supporters have gathered in central London for a protest which the political activist will miss after he was remanded into custody by police.

The Metropolitan police had put a condition on Robinson’s Unite the Kingdom rally that it could not begin its procession to Parliament Square before 1pm.

However, it appears the crowds are so large that the demonstration spilled out from its meeting point around Victoria Station and the supporters were initially held by a line of police from marching down Victoria Street.

There were sporadic shouts of “oh Tommy, Tommy” from the mostly male, white and middle-aged crowd of demonstrators. Many carried union flags. One held a placard reading “Peter Lynch RIP patriot”, a reference to a riots prisoner who recently died in prison.

Police were dressed in public order overalls and carrying long batons, but none were carrying helmets. The blue vans of the territorial support group, a specialist public order unit, were also visible.

The demonstration is expected to be met with a counter-protest organised by Stand Up to Racism, which has called on its supporters to “take to the streets” in a “massive anti-fascist demonstration”.

The United Families and Friends Campaign is holding its annual remembrance procession from Trafalgar Square for relatives who have died in police custody, which will include a protest over the acquittal this week of the firearms officer Martyn Blake who shot dead Chris Kaba.

Activists gathered holding signs reading “No justice”, “No one forgotten, nothing forgiven” and “No to hatred, no to fascism”.

Robinson, 41, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is accused of being in contempt of court after the airing of a film at a protest in Trafalgar Square in July.

He attended Folkestone police station on Friday where he was remanded before a hearing at Woolwich crown court on Monday concerning allegations that he breached a 2021 high court order barring him from repeating libellous allegations against a Syrian refugee who successfully sued him.

Robinson was separately charged on Friday with failing to provide his mobile phone access code to police under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000, Kent police said.

The Metropolitan police and British Transport Police are being supported by officers from other forces across the country for the protests and the Met said there would be a “significant police presence” to ensure the two groups are kept apart.