Prime Minister confirms arrests and prison sentences against protesters who radicalized protests over viral and baseless accusation against a Muslim
▲ Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer (second from right) met with faith and community leaders at Arden Academy in Solihull.Afp Photo
David Maddox and Amy-Clare Martin
The Independent
The newspaper La Jornada
Friday, August 9, 2024, p. 26
London: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned far-right thugs there would be no let-up in bringing them to justice as he held his third emergency Cobra meeting in a week amid concerns of a fresh wave of violence this weekend.
Yesterday he asserted that the police need to stay in high alert in the face of possible unrest in the coming days. His warning came as public security chiefs said there has been a turning point in the unrest that has left its mark on British streets after a massive deployment of riot police in the face of anti-racist protesters appeared to dispel the threat of attacks on refugee centres and human rights lawyers.
More protesters were jailed yesterday, including a couple in Hartlepool who joined the crowd after spending the day playing bingo, and a 69-year-old retired welder in Liverpool who set fire to bins and threw projectiles at police.
A army on foot of some 6,000 uniformed officers are ready to confront any disorder, and dozens of agents carried out an early morning raid against an alleged organizer of far-right violence.
During a visit to a mosque in Solihull, the Prime Minister told reporters: We have shown that the criminal justice system works expeditiously, so yesterday criminal sentences were issued against individuals who were involved in the disorders of a few days ago, some of whom received sentences of up to three years. That sent a powerful message.. He added that it was It is important to say that we will not give truce to these radical demonstrations..
Fake news lights the fuse
The wave of violence began when false information was spread about the alleged killer of three girls at a dance club in Southport last week. The false rumour that the suspect was a Muslim migrant under government surveillance prompted hundreds of far-right activists to descend on the Merseyside resort to lay siege to a mosque, throw stones at police and set fire to vehicles.
The violence spread to towns and cities across the UK and even a hotel in Rotherham housing refugees was set on fire.
National Police Chiefs’ Council chairman Gavin Stephens said the lack of clashes on Wednesday was a turning pointbut added: We are not satisfied, because some of those inclined to violence are still at large, and in various events held last night they have been located watching from behind the scenes, waiting to act, if the police guard is lowered..
Arrests without distinction
In a sign that law enforcement is taking allegations of police double standards22 people were arrested last night in connection with a climate protest planned at the energy company Drax plant in North Yorkshire.
Meanwhile, Nigel Farage has weighed in again, reiterating allegations regarding the alleged Southport killer, saying that his questions regarding him being on a government watch list have not been answered. Farage’s original allegation that the alleged perpetrator was on a watch list has been linked by some to the disinformation campaign that led to the first Southport riot.
Farage also addressed billionaire X owner Elon Musk to complain about the stance of the mainstream media and the establishment of political parties regarding the opening of borders and irregular migration.
Despite hopes that the level of violence is declining, there are reports of at least five potential clashes this weekend, including claims that hooligans Football supporters associated with the British Border Front are planning to protest in Salisbury today as thousands of people prepare to attend the annual flower show there.
A street market in the town has been cancelled, and a Thai restaurant has announced it will close for the safety of staff. West Mercia County Police said there was no confirmation of any planned extremist activity, but that concerns remained. vigilant, prepared and confident in its ability to respond to any situation.
Posts promoting potential meetings in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, as well as Liverpool, Newcastle and Salford are reportedly being shared on private far-right social media accounts.
Policing and Crime Minister Diana Johnson has confirmed there are intelligence reports of further far-right rallies in the coming days.
© The Independent
Translation: Jorge Anaya