UK leader Starmer condemns attack on asylum-seeker hotel as far-right violence spreads – Washington Examiner
On August 4, 2024, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned a violent attack on a Holiday Inn in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, that was housing asylum seekers. He described the actions of the rioters, who attempted to break into the hotel, as “far-right thuggery” and emphasized the seriousness of the incident, which resulted in injuries to ten police officers, including one who was seriously hurt.
In his statement from 10 Downing Street, Starmer vowed that authorities would take decisive action against those involved in the violence, declaring that it was not a legitimate protest, but rather organized and violent behavior that has no place in society. The violence in Rotherham was part of a broader wave of far-right unrest across the UK, exacerbated by a recent stabbing attack that left three young girls dead.
In addition to the assault in Rotherham, tensions flared in Middlesbrough, where rioters vandalized properties and clashed with police. Starmer criticized the targeting of individuals based on their ethnicity or faith, reaffirming that such actions are emblematic of far-right extremism. He pledged to ensure that those participating in or inciting such disturbances would face swift justice.
the events highlighted escalating far-right violence in the UK, with officials and law enforcement preparing to respond firmly to maintain order and protect vulnerable communities.
UK leader Starmer condemns attack on asylum-seeker hotel as far-right violence spreads
LONDON (AP) — U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer strongly condemned an attack Sunday on a hotel housing asylum-seekers that saw at least ten police officers injured, one seriously, describing it as “far-right thuggery,” as more violence broke out across the country in the wake of a stabbing rampage at a dance class that left three girls dead and many more wounded.
In a statement from 10 Downing Street on Sunday afternoon, the prime minister vowed that the authorities will “do whatever it takes to bring these thugs to justice” and that justice will be swift.
“I guarantee you will regret taking part in this disorder, whether directly or those whipping up this action online and then running away themselves,” he said. “This is not a protest, it is organized, violent thuggery and it has no place on our streets or online.”
Starmer was speaking after another day of far-right violence, which was particularly acute in the north of England town of Rotherham, where police struggled to hold back hundreds of rioters who sought to break into a Holiday Inn Express hotel being used as accommodation for asylum-seekers.
Starmer was speaking after another day of far-right violence, which was particularly acute in the north of England town of Rotherham where police struggled to hold back hundreds of rioters who sought to break into a Holiday Inn Express hotel being used as accommodation for asylum-seekers.
South Yorkshire Police, which is responsible for Rotherham, said at least 10 officers have been injured, including one who was left unconscious.
“The behaviour we witnessed has been nothing short of disgusting. While it was a smaller number of those in attendance who chose to commit violence and destruction, those who simply stood on and watched remain absolutely complicit in this,” said Assistant Chief Constable Lindsey Butterfield. “We have officers working hard, reviewing the considerable online imagery and footage of those involved, and they should expect us to be at their doors very soon.”
Far-right agitators have sought to take advantage of last week’s stabbing attack by tapping into concerns about the scale of immigration in the U.K., in particular the tens of thousands of migrants arriving in small boats from France across the English Channel.
Tensions were also running high Sunday in the northeastern town of Middlesbrough, where some protesters broke free of a police guard. One group walked through a residential area smashing the windows of houses and cars. When asked by a resident why they were breaking windows, one man replied, “Because we’re English.” Hundreds of others squared up to police with shields at the town’s cenotaph, throwing bricks, cans and pots at officers.
Starmer said anyone targeting people for the color of their skin or their faith is far-right.
“People in this country have a right to be safe, and yet we’ve seen Muslim communities targeted, attacks on mosques, other minority communities singled out, Nazi salutes in the street, attacks on the police, wanton violence alongside racist rhetoric, so no, I won’t shy away from calling it what it is: far-right thuggery,” he said.
The violence over the past days, which has seen a library torched, mosques attacked and flares thrown at a statue of wartime leader Winston Churchill, began after false rumors spread online that the suspect in the dance class stabbing attack was an asylum-seeker, fueling anger among far-right supporters.
Suspects under 18 are usually not named in the U.K., but the judge in the case ordered Axel Rudakubana, born in Wales to Rwandan parents, to be identified, in part to stop the spread of misinformation. Rudakubana has been charged with three counts of murder, and 10 counts of attempted murder.
Hundreds of people have been arrested in connection with the disorder and many more are likely as police scour CCTV, social media and body-worn camera footage. However, police have also warned that with widespread security measures in place, with thousands of officers deployed, other crimes may not be investigated fully.
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