UK Leader Starmer Condemns Far-Right Violence
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer strongly condemned an attack on August 4 on a hotel housing asylum seekers, describing it as "far-right thuggery."
In a statement the prime minister promised that authorities will "do whatever it takes to bring these thugs to justice."
Starmer's statement came as more violence broke out across the country following a stabbing attack at a dance class that left three girls dead and many more wounded.
"I guarantee you will regret taking part in this disorder, whether directly or those whipping up this action online …" 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.
In Rotherham, a town in the north of England, police struggled to hold back hundreds of rioters trying to break into a hotel used as accommodation for asylum-seekers.
Before bringing the riot under control, police officers with shields were hit with missiles, including bits of wood, chairs and fire extinguishers. A large bin close to a window of the hotel was also set on fire but the small fire was put out.
South Yorkshire Police, which is responsible for Rotherham, said at least 10 officers were injured, including one who was left unconscious.
The recent violence, which has seen a library set on fire and mosques attacked, 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.
The suspect, Axel Rudakubana, who was actually born in Wales, has been charged with three counts of murder, and 10 counts of attempted murder.
The far-right have sought to take advantage of concerns about the scale of immigration in the UK, in particular the tens of thousands of migrants arriving in small boats from France across the English Channel.
More than 375 people have been arrested in connection with the disorder and many more arrests are likely as police study CCTV, social media and body-worn camera recordings. However, police have also warned that with thousands of officers deployed to deal with the disorder, other crimes may not be investigated fully.
