- London wants to crack down on right-wing riots
The British government is set to tackle violent riots by far-right extremists across the country with a firm hand. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced following a Cobra crisis meeting that he would establish a "standing army of specialist officers" to deal with the unrest. Additionally, prosecution processes will be expedited. There have already been hundreds of arrests, with some appearing in court, Starmer said.
Rioters should also be publicly named and shamed, the Prime Minister added: "I have asked for those involved to be named as soon as possible. They will face the full force of the law."
In recent days, riots in English and Northern Irish cities have left many police officers injured, vehicles torched, and buildings attacked.
Windows smashed and fires set
Over the weekend, two hotels believed to be housing asylum seekers were targeted. Hundreds of rioters gathered outside a hotel in Rotherham, South Yorkshire on Sunday, smashing windows and setting fires. A police spokesperson described a "particularly sickening moment when a bin was pushed against the hotel and set alight, clearly intended to cause serious harm to the residents and staff." The police were also attacked with projectiles. Similar scenes unfolded at a hotel in Tamworth near Birmingham in the evening.
Deadly attack on children sparks violence
Alongside hotels, rioters also targeted mosques. The Home Office announced plans to better protect places of worship from attacks.
Right-wing extremists are using the deadly attack on a Taylor Swift dance class in Southport near Liverpool last Monday, which left three children dead and several others injured, as a pretext for their violence.
False information spread online
Prior to the riots, false information had been circulating online claiming that the suspected attacker was an asylum seeker with a Muslim name. The police denied these claims.
The suspect's name has since been released. He is a 17-year-old born in the UK, with parents from Rwanda. The motive for the attack remains unclear.
Online instigators to be held accountable
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper also announced a tough stance against criminal behavior online. She told Sky News that the organization of riots, incitement of tensions, and spread of false information had been significantly aided by social media.
"We expect action to be taken against those who have posted criminal material and will ensure that social media companies take responsibility," Cooper added.
When asked about the activities of convicted far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, a government spokesperson declined to comment specifically. However, they did not rule out the possibility that state actors could be behind the spread of false information online through bots.
First test for new Prime Minister Starmer
For the newly appointed Prime Minister, who has been in office for only a month, the riots represent his first major test. Starmer appears well-equipped for the challenge, having served as the head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) when English cities were rocked by severe riots in August 2011.
Unlike today, the incidents were not right-wing extremist riots. The trigger was fatal shots fired by the police at a man of Irish-Jamaican descent. The riots began in London and spread to other major cities.
At the time, courts were in session 24/7 to process suspects quickly. This is also being considered again now, but no decision has been made yet, according to a government spokesperson. Both the justice system and prisons are currently severely overloaded.
No military deployment planned
Requests for military deployment, including from former Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf, were rejected by the government. This topic was not discussed at the Cobra meeting, the spokesperson said. Neither has the possibility of recalling MPs from their summer recess been discussed.
Criticism of the government came from former Home Secretary James Cleverly of the opposition Conservatives, who is currently running for the succession of Tory party leader Rishi Sunak after the election defeat four weeks ago. Cleverly told Sky News that the Cobra meeting was convened too late. He stressed that the rioters do not represent the country, which is open and tolerant.
Right-wing populist and Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage also condemned the violence in a statement, after previously expressing sympathy for the rioters' concerns in a video.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated his stance on naming and shaming rioters, stating, "I stand by my previous comments regarding the public naming of those involved in these violent acts. They should be held accountable for their actions."
In response to the increasing online activity promoting false information and incitement, Prime Minister Starmer pledged, "We will work closely with social media platforms to ensure they take responsibility for the content shared on their sites and take necessary action against those propagating such harmful information."
