Following a weekend of chaos across major UK cities, the Prime Minister vows that those responsible for the violence will face severe consequences

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer addressed the nation with a stern warning to far-right rioters who have wreaked havoc across England. In recent days, violent mobs have targeted migrant hotels in Rotherham and Tamworth, setting them on fire and clashing with police. This wave of unrest, which began over the weekend, has seen major cities like Liverpool, Bristol, Manchester, Hull, Belfast, and Stoke engulfed in chaos.

Standing firm against the violence, Starmer declared, “The police will be making arrests. Individuals will be held on remand, charges will follow, and convictions will follow. I guarantee you will regret taking part in this disorder, whether directly or those whipping up this action online and then running away themselves. This is not a protest, it is organized, violent thuggery, and it has no place on our streets or online.”

The riots, described by Starmer as “organized, violent thuggery,” saw masked rioters assembling outside Holiday Inn hotels in both Rotherham and Tamworth. These thugs smashed windows and attempted to force their way into the hotels before setting fires. At least 147 people have been arrested so far in connection with the riots that have devastated cities and left destruction in their wake.

Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, better known as Tommy Robinson, has been accused of inciting these riots from his holiday resort in Cyprus through inflammatory online posts. Robinson, who left the UK after a judge issued an arrest warrant, has been a vocal figure on social media, stoking tensions with his far-right rhetoric.

Joe Mulhall, director of research at anti-fascism organization Hope Not Hate, remarked, “People like Robinson act as ‘weathermakers’ who spread misleading videos online about issues like migrant boats and child grooming gangs.” Despite being permanently banned from Twitter in 2018, Robinson’s account was reinstated last year after Elon Musk’s takeover of the platform.

The riots have sparked widespread condemnation and calls for decisive action. Former First Minister of Scotland, Humza Yousaf, has called for the army to be deployed to restore order, stating, “It doesn’t look like, to me, the police have a handle on the situation. The police have not been able to protect those that are in the Holiday Inn. The army can help to get control where the police are unable.”

The unrest follows a tragic incident in Southport, where three girls were killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club. This event has been linked to the surge in far-right demonstrations, with rioters in Southport chanting Robinson’s name and anti-Islamic slogans.

In response to the escalating violence, ministers held emergency talks with senior judiciary members and police chiefs. The Ministry of Justice is now considering having magistrates’ courts operate 24 hours a day to handle the surge in arrests and ensure swift justice.

Natasha Tsangarides, associate director of advocacy at Freedom from Torture, commented on the riots, stating, “It’s horrific to see the scenes of violence in Rotherham and across the country targeting refugees and other minority communities. This is the result of years of divisive politics, demonization, and dehumanization.”

Starmer emphasized that those responsible for the violence would be held accountable and that the police have his full support in taking action against extremists attempting to sow hate and intimidate communities.

BBC

In response to escalating violence across UK towns and cities, an emergency Cobra meeting will be held at Downing Street. This follows the arrest of over 150 individuals after riots occurred over the weekend. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned an attack on a Rotherham hotel housing asylum seekers, vowing that those involved in the unrest would face “the full force of the law.”

Violent incidents were reported in various locations, including Tamworth, Middlesbrough, Bolton, Hull, and Weymouth. In Rotherham, anti-immigration demonstrators clashed with police, resulting in ten officers injured and one left unconscious. The rioters targeted a Holiday Inn Express, terrifying hotel employees and residents, some of whom were asylum seekers.

The prime minister addressed the nation, emphasizing the right to safety and condemning the far-right thuggery, which included attacks on mosques and other minority communities. The Home Office announced measures to offer greater protection to mosques, enabling rapid security deployment.

The unrest follows the fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport, which has sparked six days of violence. In Tamworth, police dealt with violent acts of thuggery, resulting in an officer being injured. Middlesbrough saw rioters smashing windows of houses and cars, and in Weymouth, 600 people from opposing sides gathered, leading to some low-level incidents.

In Bolton, anti-immigration protesters were confronted by a group of up to 300 masked individuals. Greater Manchester Police issued a Section 60AA order requiring people to remove face coverings. Similar scenes of unrest have been observed in Southport, Belfast, Hartlepool, Hull, Liverpool, Stoke-on-Trent, Nottingham, and Sunderland.

The government plans to adopt measures similar to those used during the 2011 riots, potentially including 24-hour court sittings to fast-track prosecutions and drafting in extra police officers to manage the unrest. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that the police have government backing to take the strongest action against the rioters.

The Guardian

In the wake of far-right-led riots targeting asylum seekers, a mob attempted to torch a Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham, which houses asylum seekers. Approximately 700 rioters clashed with police, hurling wood, bottles, and chairs, and using fire extinguishers against officers. At least ten officers were injured, one of whom was left unconscious. Protesters set a stairwell alight and managed to storm the hotel briefly, causing significant distress among residents and employees.

The Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, condemned the violence, expressing support for strong police action. Counter-protesters faced harassment and racist abuse from the mob. Police eventually managed to disperse the rioters after significant efforts.

Violent protests also erupted in Tamworth, where rioters smashed windows and threw petrol bombs, injuring one officer. Middlesbrough saw further unrest, with rioters attacking houses and cars and clashing with police using burning wheelie bins. Similar violence and disorder occurred in other cities, including Hull, Liverpool, Stoke-on-Trent, Nottingham, Bristol, Manchester, Blackpool, and Belfast.

These incidents follow the fatal stabbing of three young girls at a dance class in Southport. Misinformation spread online falsely claimed that the suspect, Axel Rudakubana, was an asylum seeker, prompting widespread far-right protests.

In response to the violence, Merseyside Police introduced Section 60 orders, giving officers enhanced stop-and-search powers in Liverpool and Southport. Greater Manchester Police implemented similar measures in Bolton. Police and community leaders condemned the actions of the rioters and praised the volunteers who helped clean up the aftermath.

Faith leaders called for unity and peace, emphasizing the importance of community spirit in the face of such violence. They urged the public to remain calm and committed to rebuilding and supporting affected communities. The government and law enforcement have pledged to bring those responsible for the violence to justice.

POLITICO

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has denounced far-right riots targeting mosques, asylum seekers, and ethnic minorities across the UK. The violence erupted after false online claims that the suspect in the fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport was a Muslim migrant. The suspect, 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana, is British-born.

In a televised address, Starmer assured that participants in the violence would face severe legal consequences. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced additional security for mosques under threat.

Riots have occurred in Belfast, Bristol, London, and various towns in the Midlands and Northern England, including Blackpool, Hull, Leeds, Manchester, Middlesbrough, Stoke-on-Trent, and Sunderland. In Rotherham, a mob attempted to torch a hotel housing asylum seekers, leading to clashes with police and numerous injuries. Similar scenes unfolded in Liverpool, where anti-racist groups also mobilized, leading to confrontations that required police intervention. Rioters there set a library on fire and clashed with firefighters.

Despite the government’s efforts to quell the violence, tensions remain high, and further unrest is anticipated as authorities work to restore order and bring perpetrators to justice.