Chris Philp

THE shadow home secretary has been accused of whipping-up division during a visit to the Church Street Market, Marylebone, ahead of a “patriots” march and rally in the area tomorrow, Saturday.

Chris Philp, in a video posted on his social media channels, claimed that a “staggering” 457 heads of household out of 600 on the estate were not born in the United Kingdom.

Westminster’s Labour group has criticised him for giving only half the picture as many of these are British citizens. And they are calling on Conservative city council leader Paul ­Swaddle to condemn the comments ahead of the weekend’s rally.

A large turnout from counter protest organisations is expected to confront the Turning Point UK and UKIP chief Nick Tenconi from midday at Edgware Road tube station.

A statement from the Labour group said: “The Conservative Party’s national policy is to restrict access to social housing to British citizens. But Chris Philp’s focus on where people were born appears to go even further. So, as Westminster’s Conservative leader, do you believe it is wrong that people born outside the UK are living in social housing in Westminster?

“And do you agree with the Conservative Party’s national policy to restrict access to social housing to only British citizens? If so, what does that mean for residents who were born overseas but have lived here for decades, paid their taxes, raised families and made a lifelong contribution to our communities? Would you support them losing their homes because of where they were born, or new applicants being made ineligible for social housing on the same basis?”

It added: “We condemn Chris Philp’s divisive language. This is particularly concerning when Church Street and Edgware Road are already being targeted by UKIP leader Nick Tenconi for a rally next Saturday.” Mr Tenconi is the chief operating officer of Turning Point UK and leader of the UKIP since 2025.

In a public speech ahead of the rally, surrounded by activists wearing chain mail costumes and holding large wooden crosses, Mr Tenconi spoke about how he didn’t like anti-Christian clothing or hearing foreign languages from the shoppers in the supermarket. It is not unusual for the Conservative party – which was in power for 14 years until 2024 – to campaign on nationalist agenda.

But the timing of Philp’s intervention has raised serious questions ahead of what authorities fear could see unwanted scenes in Edgware Road.

In the film he can be seen walking through the thriving market talking about 71 per cent of homes in Church Street estate having a “head of household who was born outside the UK”.

Mr Philp said: “In this little area there are 720 social housing units. 520 are rented to a head of household not born in the UK. This comes at a time when there are 1.34 million people on the social housing waiting list and over 2,000 of our military veterans are homeless. Conservatives have a simple solution. Only people who are British citizens should be eligible for social housing. That will free up over 200,000 social housing places pretty quickly. But, secondly, mass immigration has to be end.

“We need to limit inward migration to a very low number to people who can work their jobs and pay their taxes and make a real contribution.”

Cllr Swaddle was approached for comment by the Extra but said he had not had “any communication directly on this” from Labour. “If they are expecting a reply, they probably should write to me,” he said.

In a statement on tomorrow’s protest, Cllr Caroline Sargent, city council deputy leader and cabinet member for enforcement, said: “I condemn any march or demonstration that promotes hatred, division or intimidation.

“A policing plan is in place to deal with the protest on the day.

“The concerns that have been raised have been shared with the relevant protest planning team and public order command structures and have been incorporated into the police’s planning and assessment for the event.

“While some of the messaging associated with the protest may be regarded as inflammatory and may cause concern within sections of the community, no specific criminal offence has been identified.

“The Met police have confirmed that this information will continue to inform their operational planning. Updates will be communicated by the police directly.”