UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued a stern warning to far-right protesters on Sunday, stating they will “regret” their involvement in the recent riots, marking the most severe unrest England has experienced in over a decade. The violence, triggered by misinformation about a tragic stabbing incident, has spread across multiple cities.
Violent protests erupted in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, where masked demonstrators vandalised a hotel housing asylum seekers, on Saturday. The unrest is linked to false rumours about a mass stabbing in Southport, which resulted in the deaths of three children and injuries to ten others.
Starmer, who recently took office after a significant Labour victory, condemned the violence and warned those inciting unrest online. “Those participating in this chaos, or those encouraging it from behind the scenes, will face consequences,” he said in a television address. He asserted that there is “no justification” for the violence and promised to ensure justice for those responsible.
Footage from the BBC revealed rioters breaking into a Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham and setting a burning bin inside the hotel. Fortunately, no asylum seekers were reported injured, although ten police officers sustained injuries.
In Middlesbrough, hundreds of protesters clashed with riot police, hurling bricks and other projectiles. The unrest extended to other cities, including Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol, Blackpool, Hull, and Belfast, resulting in over 150 arrests. The rioters targeted shops, engaged in looting, and confronted counter-protesters with anti-Islamic rhetoric.
The disturbances, the worst since the summer riots of 2011, have prompted religious leaders in Liverpool to issue a joint appeal for calm. Tiffany Lynch from the Police Federation of England and Wales noted the spread of violence to major urban areas, further exacerbating the crisis.
In response to the escalating violence, the UK Interior Ministry has promised increased security at Islamic places of worship. Riots initially ignited in Southport following a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed party, fuelled by false social media claims about the suspect, Axel Rudakubana.
The English Defence League, an anti-Islam organisation, has been linked to the violence, targeting mosques and sparking a counter-response from anti-fascist groups. In cities like Leeds, counter-protesters chanted slogans against the far-right demonstrators.
Despite the turmoil, some protests, such as the one in Aldershot, remained peaceful. Participants there carried placards with messages like “Stop the invasion” and “We’re not far right, we’re just right,” reflecting the mixed nature of the demonstrations.
The recent election saw the far-right Reform UK party, led by Nigel Farage, garner 14 per cent of the vote, highlighting the growing influence of anti-immigration sentiment in the UK. Green party co-leader Carla Denyer called for a reassessment of political rhetoric that has fuelled anti-immigration sentiments.
Starmer’s warnings and the ongoing unrest underscore the deepening divide in the UK over immigration and national identity, posing a significant challenge for the new Prime Minister.
