More than 90 people have been arrested after violent far-right protests spread across England this weekend.
It follows last week’s stabbing attack in Southport, which left three children dead.
Authorities have blamed misinformation surrounding the attacker’s identity for a wave of anti-immigration demonstrations.
Speaking to government ministers on Saturday, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, “The right to freedom of expression and the violent disorder we have seen are two very different things.”
Background
Last Monday, three children were killed in a stabbing attack on a Taylor Swift-themed school holiday dance class.
Multiple other children and two adults were injured during the incident in the northwest English town of Southport.
The victims were named as Bebe King (6), Elsie Dot Stancombe (7), and Alice Dasilva Aguiar (9).
A 17-year-old boy has since been charged with murder, as well as attempted murder. Police have confirmed he was born in Wales.
Protest
Following the stabbing, far-right groups spread disinformation online about the alleged suspect’s identity.
This included speculation from far-right politician, Nigel Farage, who questioned authorities for ruling out terrorism as a motive for the stabbing.
Rumours about the suspect then led to riots on the streets of Southport, where demonstrators clashed with police, set fires and threw bricks at a local mosque.
Police believed the unrest was led by supporters of the English Defence League, a far-right Islamophobic group.
Rioters also attended a planned vigil for the stabbing victims, which Starmer said was “hijacked” with “violence and thuggery.”
Larger protests have since emerged elsewhere across England, with violence intensifying in Liverpool, Bristol and Manchester over the weekend.
Rioters set cars and buildings alight, while several police officers have been injured.
In London, hundreds took to the streets and chanted anti-immigration slogans.
Hull
Around 25 people were also arrested in the city of Hull, where rioters attacked a hotel believed to be used to house asylum seekers.
Hull City Council Leader Mike Ross said he was “appalled” by the actions of protesters in Hull, and across England.
“Those responsible don’t speak for Hull,” he said. “Rather, they stem from a small group of criminals intent on bringing division, conflict, and fear to our city.”
Arrests
More than 100 people were arrested last week, while another 90 protesters were taken into custody on Saturday.
Farage later said he did not condone street violence, but said “tens of millions of people” were living in fear and unease after the stabbing.
UK PM Keir Starmer said the riots, are “not protest” and “not legitimate”.
“It’s crime and violent disorder”.
Criticism
Starmer said he “utterly” condemns “the far-right thuggery we have seen this weekend.”
During an address on the weekend, the PM said those directly involved in the violence as well as those spreading disinformation online, “will face the full force of the law.”
His comments come days after the UK Government laid out their “national response” to the unrest.
Starmer’s plans to “clamp down on criminal and violent disorder” include increased sharing of local and national police intelligence, and expanded use of facial recognition technology.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the police had the Government’s “strong support.”
“We will work with senior police officers across the country to make sure there is rapid intelligence sharing and swift action to stop violent disorder and make sure criminals pay the price.”
