Jack Ross, the Chief Executive of Turning Point UK, has revealed he wore a bulletproof vest and was flanked by bodyguards at last night’s vigil for Charlie Kirk in London.
Mr Ross told GB News the decision was taken after concerns about safety following the assassination of the 31-year-old conservative activist in Utah last week.
“We’ve upped our security. Yesterday was the first time we had to go out with bodyguards,” he said.
“It’s the first time in Britain I’ve had to wear a bulletproof vest. We’re very worried about copycat killings.
Jack Ross revealed he had to wear a bulletproof vest at Charlie Kirk's vigil
|GB NEWS / REUTERS
“This assassination has legitimised to extremists they can go and kill people now. It set a new standard and we’re very worried about this happening here.”
The vigil, organised by Turning Point UK, took place close to the Montgomery Statue in central London and drew a large crowd of supporters. Attendees lit candles, laid flowers and stood in silence to honour Mr Kirk’s memory.
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Many carried placards, while others sang hymns and patriotic songs as they gathered around a makeshift shrine decorated with photographs of the activist.
At one point the crowd joined together in prayer before leaving messages of condolence scrawled on cards and banners. Several participants were seen embracing and wiping away tears.
Jack Ross candidly spoke about his own friendship with Charlie Kirk
|GB NEWS
The surrounding streets near Downing Street and Parliament Street were filled with people holding candles aloft, creating a striking display of light as night fell. Video footage showed chants breaking out and applause rippling through the crowd as speakers paid tribute to Mr Kirk’s legacy.
Mr Ross, visibly emotional, reflected on his friendship with Mr Kirk and vowed to continue his work.
“After the brutal assassination of Charlie, we are going to pick up his torch. When he was horrifically assassinated, it created one million Charlie Kirk’s around the world,” he said.
Mr Kirk was fatally shot at Utah Valley University on Wednesday during a speaking engagement. Authorities have characterised the incident as a politically motivated assassination.
Charlie Kirk at the Utah rally hours before he was assassinated | GETTYWitnesses reported panic inside the lecture hall as shots rang out, with students scrambling for cover under desks and chairs. Campus police rushed to the scene within minutes and detained a suspect after a brief chase.
Emergency services attempted to treat Mr Kirk at the scene before transporting him to hospital, but he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Officials later confirmed he had suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
The university was placed into lockdown for several hours, with heavily armed officers sweeping buildings to ensure there were no further threats.
News of his death spread rapidly across the US, sparking vigils on campuses and messages of condolence from political allies and opponents alike.
Supporters described him as a “fearless voice” for conservative values, while critics acknowledged the killing as an attack on free speech.
The FBI and local law enforcement agencies have since launched a joint investigation, describing the shooting as a “targeted and deliberate act of political violence.”