- After the Swiftties murders in Southport, right-wing riots at the British government headquarters.
Far-right extremists have rioted following the fatal stabbing incident in the British town of Southport, near the government seat in London. Clashes between ultranationalists and the police occurred near Downing Street, with at least a dozen people arrested, as reported by Sky News. In Southport, police forces were deployed in the evening to prevent further riots, with the situation tense but calm.
Ultranationalists accuse authorities of lying about the origin of the suspected stabber. He allegedly killed three girls aged six, seven, and nine, and injured eight others and two adults in the northwest English coastal town on Monday. Misinformation on the internet had spread rumors that he was an irregularly entered Muslim asylum seeker.
Police refuted these claims, which were also spread by a Russian state media outlet. The 17-year-old suspect was born in the UK, according to police. BBC reports suggest his parents are from Rwanda. Police believe it was a lone attacker and not a terrorist act. The motive remains unclear, and investigators have been granted more time to question the suspect.
Dozens of police officers were injured in London, with protesters throwing bottles, cans, and fireworks at the Downing Street fence. The protest, under the banner "Enough is enough," saw participants chanting "Rule Britannia" and "Save our children," and calling for the halt of irregular migrant entry.
The previous evening, around 200 to 300 people rioted in Southport after a peaceful vigil. They attacked a mosque and threw bricks, trash bins, and street signs at police. Fifty-three officers were injured, eight severely, with injuries including broken bones, concussions, and lacerations. One officer was knocked unconscious, and several police dogs were injured. Several police cars were set ablaze.
Authorities identified the rioters as mostly far-right extremists, with four arrests made so far. Chief Constable Serena Kennedy of Merseyside Police stated that more arrests are expected.
Southport residents joined cleanup efforts. Local businessman Norman Wallis told PA News that the rioters did not come from the area but arrived by bus and car to cause trouble. "The people of Southport are cleaning up this mess today," Wallis said.
Critics accused right-wing politician Nigel Farage, who significantly drove the Brexit movement, of stoking tensions. The leader of the Reform UK party had speculated in a video uploaded to X that authorities were withholding the truth.
In Southport, rioters reportedly set cars and trash bins on fire. Local MP Patrick Hurley told BBC Radio 4 that far-right extremists exploited the bloodshed for political gain and attacked "the same first responders and the same police" who stopped the attacker on Monday. Mosque chairman Ibrahim Hussein told reporters that he and eight community members were trapped in the building and escaped only with police escort.
The British government condemned the riots harshly. Rioters would face the full force of the law, newly appointed Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper warned.
"The individuals who hijacked the vigil for the victims with violence and brutality have insulted the grieving community," the Prime Minister emphasized at X. Starmer laid flowers at the scene of the crime. However, the Prime Minister, who has been in office for only a few weeks, was harassed by onlookers demanding a tougher stance against migrants.
The emergency services requested backup due to the increased number of injuries amongst their officers in both Southport and London. The rally organizers urged participants to maintain peace and avoid any actions that could escalate the situation into an emergency situation.
