Evening summary
We’re pausing our live coverage of the UK riots now. Here are the main developments from the day:
The final child injured during the Southport stabbings on July 29 was discharged from hospital on Thursday and will continue her recovery at home, Merseyside Police said. In a statement also released by the force, the girl’s family criticised the rioting that followed the attack.
PM Keir Starmer is chairing another emergency meeting with law enforcement officials to “reflect on last night” and plan for the coming days. Ahead of the meeting, he said there would be no letup in tackling far-right disorder.
About 20 potential gatherings and three counter-protests are planned for Thursday, according to the National Police Chiefs’ Council. More than 160 demonstrations were planned for Wednesday but only about 36 took place with “minimal disorder and only a handful of arrests”, the body said.
Police have arrested a man in his 50s in south-east London on suspicion of encouraging murder after a video emerged of a Labour councillor apparently calling for far-right protesters’ throats to be “cut”.
More rioters have been jailed for their roles in disorder across the country. Sentencing two men in Liverpool, one judge said the rioters had been part of a “a large and utterly lawless mob”.
Elon Musk shared a fake Telegraph article claiming Keir Starmer was considering sending far-right rioters to “emergency detainment camps” in the Falklands. Musk deleted his post after about 30 minutes but a screenshot captured by Politics.co.uk suggests it had garnered nearly two million views before it was deleted.
As violent unrest erupted across the country last week after the killing of three girls in nearby Southport, about 50 people turned up to a far-right rally outside Abdullah Quilliam Society mosque in Liverpool, the oldest in the country. Hundreds more turned up to support the mosque.
But the imam Adam Kelwick decided not to stay inside. He and other members of his community stepped out with home-cooked food and crossed the police line, determined to speak to the people on the other side.
You can listen to him explaining his decision here:
Final child injured during Southport stabbing discharged from hospital
The final child injured during the Southport stabbings on July 29 was discharged from hospital on Thursday and will continue her recovery at home, Merseyside Police said.
In a statement also released by the force, the girl’s family criticised the rioting that followed the attack.
They said:
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital for their unwavering support and the extraordinary care they provided to our beloved daughter during this challenging time.
We also extend our deepest thanks to the air ambulance team, whose swift response and expertise were crucial in airlifting her from the scene to the hospital. We know that their intervention saved her life.
We were deeply saddened by the recent disorder and the attacks on our police force. It is important to highlight that when the horrific events unfolded, our police officers were the first on the scene. We are immensely grateful to the officers who stood by our daughter’s side, providing assistance and support until she was safely transported to the hospital.
This has been an incredibly difficult time for our nation, especially for the families affected by these tragic events. We appreciate the continued support and compassion from everyone during this challenging period.
While we are relieved that our daughter is on the path to recovery, our hearts go out to the families of Bebe, Alice and Elsie during this immensely painful time. Thank you.
Updated
A pensioner thought to be the oldest person charged for taking part in the far-right-led riots, and two brothers who looted a library, were among those jailed today for their part in a crime “committed against the whole community”.
William Nelson Morgan, 69, was sentenced to 32 months in prison, having previously admitted violent disorder and carrying a cosh during the riot on County Road in Liverpool on Saturday.
Liverpool crown court was told he had been arrested when he refused to move as police pushed back a crowd of rioters. The court was shown body-worn-camera footage of Morgan being arrested. In it he says: “I’m English, I’m 70, all right – leave me alone!” He can also be seen to shout: “Get off me, I’m fucking 70, you pricks.”
The police officer attempting to arrest him replies: “Then why are you here? Why are you at a fucking riot, man?”
Three officers were needed to arrest Morgan, who apologised to them afterwards, saying: “I’m sorry, I appreciate what you’re doing.”
In court, his barrister, Paul Lewis, said Morgan’s behaviour had been “entirely out of character” and that prison would be “particularly hard to bear”.
“He accepts that he acted in drink and was disinhibited by the presence of a large crowd,” Lewis added.
Morgan had no previous criminal convictions and his barrister described him as a man of good character – a retired welder who was a widower with three grown-up children.
Updated
Shoppers have avoided high streets in recent days after rioting across England and Belfast led to shops being vandalised and looted, hitting footfall for retailers and neighbouring businesses, figures show.
Footfall on UK high streets declined by an average 4.8% between Sunday and Wednesday from the same period the week before, according to the real estate software firm MRI Software. This compares with a smaller fall of 2.7% in all UK retail destinations, including shopping centres and out-of-town retail parks.
On Wednesday, the number of people on high streets dropped by 7.5% as shoppers were deterred by an expected new wave of rioting and counter-protests planned for the day.
Northern England and Yorkshire felt the impact of the disorder the most, with footfall down by 12.9% between Sunday and Wednesday, and in the West Midlands footfall was down by 10.6% on the previous week.
Read the full story here:
Man arrested after video emerges of Labour councillor calling for throats to be 'cut'
Police have arrested a man in his 50s in south-east London on suspicion of encouraging murder after a video emerged of a Labour councillor apparently calling for far-right protesters’ throats to be “cut”.
The man has also been arrested for an offence under the Public Order Act following the incident in Kent on Wednesday evening, the Metropolitan Police said.
In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, in which the original video was linked, the force said:
Officers have arrested a man aged in his 50s at an address in south-east London.
He was held on suspicion of encouraging murder and for an offence under the Public Order Act. He is in custody at a south London police station.
A Labour spokesperson confirmed that Ricky Jones, a borough councillor in Dartford, Kent, has been suspended by the party in relation to the video.
UPDATE: Officers have arrested a man aged in his 50s at an address in South East London.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) August 8, 2024
He was held on suspicion of encouraging murder and for an offence under the Public Order Act.
He is in custody at a south London police station. https://t.co/YVuXRStZzd
Updated
A teenager who joined riots in Hartlepool while out celebrating his 18th birthday has been detained for 20 months, PA Media reports.
Bobby Shirbon, of Cornwall Street, Hartlepool, took part in two consecutive nights of disorder in the town, Teesside Crown Court heard.
He was seen smashing windows during violent scenes on July 31 - the day he turned 18 - while part of a group that was throwing bricks and bottles at police.
The defendant then threw beer bottles at a police van while wearing a balaclava the following night as part of further disorder involving a smaller group of youths.
Shirbon, who pleaded guilty to two charges of violent disorder, said “it’s okay, everybody else is doing it” when he was arrested, it was said.
A statement from Cleveland Police Chief Constable Mark Webster said the riots had cost the region an estimated £300,000.
Updated
The day so far
If you’re just joining us, here are the day’s main developments:
PM Keir Starmer is chairing another emergency meeting with law enforcement officials to “reflect on last night” and plan for the coming days. Ahead of the meeting, he said there would be no letup in tackling far-right disorder.
More rioters have been jailed for their roles in disorder across the country. Sentencing two men in Liverpool, one judge said the rioters had been part of a “a large and utterly lawless mob”.
Elon Musk shared a fake Telegraph article claiming Keir Starmer was considering sending far-right rioters to “emergency detainment camps” in the Falklands. Musk deleted his post after about 30 minutes but a screenshot captured by Politics.co.uk suggests it had garnered nearly two million views before it was deleted.
A Labour councillor has been suspended for appearing to call for far-right protesters’ throats to be cut. Ricky Jones, who was a councillor in Dartford, Kent, was filmed making the call at a counter-demonstration in Walthamstow on Wednesday evening.
About 20 potential gatherings and three counter-protests are planned for Thursday, according to the National Police Chiefs’ Council. More than 160 demonstrations were planned for Wednesday but only about 36 took place with “minimal disorder and only a handful of arrests”, the body said.
Gavin Stephens, chairman of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, told reporters this afternoon the youngest person arrested during the violent disorder over the last few days was 11-year-old.
PA Media report he said “I think to have conversations with young people, children, teenagers over the course the next few days is really, really important. Don’t get involved, don’t go near this stuff – it could change the prospects for the rest of your life.”
The Metropolitan police in London have issued a statement to say they “are aware of the significant public concern around” a video being shared that appears to show Labour councillor Ricky Jones calling for the throats of rioters to be cut.
The party has suspended him, with a spokesperson describing his comments as “completely unacceptable”.
The police said “Officers are investigating as a matter of urgency.”
In Wales, the Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth has been asked during a Q&A session what he thought had brought about the situation that had led to violent disorder over the last few days in Engladn and Northern Ireland.
In a message posted by the party’s social media channel in English he is quoted as saying:
Recent racist riots are the result of decades of allowing racism and hatred to develop openly online, in the press and by some politicians. We all have a duty to take responsibility and come together to show that there is no place for racism in our communities.
In the accompanying video clip, ap Iorwerth said in Welsh:
Certainly, there’s influence from the owners of newspapers, as was true on their influence on the Brexit vote. By repeating the same mantra day after day, week after week, “Stop the boats” has driven this.
From politicians up to the level of the prime minister and down, encouraging people to point the finger at others, and put the blame on them for the failures of political leaders to get to grips with the poverty that’s been allowed to grow in our communities. Communities that have been forgotten about by political leaders.
As well as the press we need to remember that we’ve moved on to the 21st century and to the age of social media. The responsibility on the shoulders of Elon Musk at the moment for allowing Twitter or X to turn into the beast that it is, is something that the international community needs to get to grips with. It was good to hear the prime minister of Ireland talking about the steps they want to take.
There is a reason this has been allowed to happen. Yes, there is some right wing sentiment among the population, but other people have now been pulled in, and have been compelled to do this by people who should know better.
Shockat Adam, the recently elected independent MP for Leicester South, has posted a message praising the “immense sense of community” and commending “the swift action taken by our justice system”, while also cautioning against online misinformation.
In a post on social media, Adam said:
The British community has spoken! We saw an immense sense of community yesterday with people of all backgrounds standing shoulder to shoulder to send a strong message to those who seek to divide us. Hope not hate.
I want to commend the swift action taken by our justice system to ensure those bringing violence to our street are processed quickly, sending a clear message.
However, I stress the importance of keeping yourself safe when you are out and about. Report any incidents to police swiftly.
It has never been more important to be mindful of the information shared online, we have a responsibility to avoid spreading misinformation or disinformation.
Moving forward we need to have real and honest conversations with all communities to tackle the elephant in the room and address how we can move forward. There is much education needed and much to do, until we address it, this will continue to keep rearing its head.
Director of Public Prosecutions: 'By the hour, further charges are being authorised'
The Director of Public Prosecutions for England and Wales has said that “By the hour, further charges are being authorised” against people who took part in far-right anti-immigration riots across England over the last few days.
PA Media reports that Stephen Parkinson, who has been in the role since November 2023, said:
By the hour, further charges are being authorised, significant sentences of imprisonment are being passed and justice continues to be served after an extremely difficult period for the country.
Our prosecutors are continuing to work swiftly and effectively in collaboration with the police.
I am immensely proud of the way that the criminal justice system has responded so quickly and well, ensuring that the rule of law prevails and that justice is done and seen to be done.
Police chief admits they were 'nervous' about counter-protests, are expecting 20 potential gatherings tonight
About 20 potential gatherings and three counter-protests are planned for Thursday, according to the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), PA Media reports.
More than 160 demonstrations were planned for Wednesday but only about 36 took place with “minimal disorder and only a handful of arrests”, the body said.
In a media briefing the NPCC chairman Gavin Stephens said: “From a policing point of view, I must admit we were nervous about all of the counter-activity, if you want to call it that, purely because it adds to the scale of what we’re dealing with.
“I think what we saw last night was a loud and clear message from communities that they’d had enough, that there’s no place for hate, that there’s no place for violence.”
Our political correspondent Eleni Courea has more on this story of Elon Musk using the social media platform he owns to spread fake news and misinformation again.
Labour MP Lauren Edwards has apologised for what she called a “significant error of judgment” after now deleted social media messages from between 2009 and 2011 emerged.
In the messages, the recently elected MP for Rochester and Strood made derogatory remarks about Estonians, a halal restaurant and parliamentary cleaners. Between 2008 and 2013, Edwards worked as a parliamentary researcher for a series of Labour MPs including Lisa Nandy.
In a statement Edwards said:
I have recently been made aware of a small number of tweets that I posted on Twitter from over a decade ago, which I now deeply regret.
They were a significant error of judgment on my part, and I apologise wholeheartedly.
Since becoming a local councillor and more recently an MP, I have seen first-hand the importance of bringing communities together and working with tolerance and respect for all in our society.
I pledge to use my platform to continue that important work and dedicate myself to serving all residents of Rochester and Strood.
Earlier a Labour councillor was suspended after video which appeared to show him calling for rioters’ throats to be cut was shared on social media.
Man jailed 18 months for violent disorder after attending anti-fascist protest
A 29-year-old man who attended a protest against fascism in Plymouth has been jailed for 18 months after throwing missiles and swinging his motorbike helmet to knock a boy off his bike.
Lucas Ormond Skeaping, 29, of Tavistock admitted a charge of violent disorder.
The defendant’s legal team said Skeaping was “against fascism”, “abhors any form of racism” and had lost his employment at a bicycle company as a result of the incident.
The prosecution said the man’s own GoPro camera had captured him throwing a full 500ml bottle of Coca-Cola and a rock.
PA Media reports Judge Robert Linford, sentencing, said “you came to protest and to do so peacefully, but things rapidly deteriorated”.
Police in Nottingham said they made no arrests during a protest held just outside the city centre on Wednesday evening. PA Media reports Nottinghamshire police said patrols will continue in the city over the weekend, but confirmed they were not acting on specific intelligence.
Speaking in Northern Ireland, the DUP’s deputy first minister, Emma Little-Pengelly said no one has “justified” the racist violence and disorder.
“In fact,” she said, “the absolute opposite. We are standing here collectively as the Northern Ireland Executive making it clear that all of those are unacceptable.”
Little-Pengelly continued:
Of course people have concerns. I have no doubt that those are very genuinely held concerns in relation to access to public services, access to affordable housing.
We in the Executive are acutely aware of that, and our message to those people are very much, we are here to listen to you. We will hear the concerns that you have.
We will move forward to try to address those concerns. But those concerns are for the Northern Ireland Government, for the UK Government, in terms of resourcing. It is for the democratic process to work through.
Violence is never the answer. Violence is always wrong. That is the clear message. We’re standing here today firmly against violence, disorder and racism and there’s no ifs or buts about that.
Little-Pengelly spoke in a joint press conference with Sinn Féin’s Michelle O’Neill, as well as PSNI Chief constable Jon Boucher and Alliance party leader Naomi Long.
Labour councillor suspended after video of him saying rioters' throats should be cut appears online
A Labour councillor has been suspended from the party after footage emerged of him online in which he said the throats of rioters should be cut.
PA Media reports Ricky Jones, a Dartford Borough councillor, appeared in a video circulated online saying “we need to cut all their throats and get rid of them all” at a counter-demonstration to recent riots.
A Labour party spokesperson said: “This behaviour is completely unacceptable and it will not be tolerated. The councillor has been suspended from the party.”
PA Media reports it is understood Mr Jones has been administratively suspended from the party, and the whip has been removed.
Among those to have shared the video online was Reform UK leader and Clacton MP Nigel Farage, who accompanied it with the caption “This man should be arrested. If not, we know there is two-tier policing.”
The Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicestershire, Rupert Matthews, has appeared on GB News, and said there is “no two-tier policing in Leicestershire and Rutland”. He said:
It’s not just the far-right that have been causing unrest recently. Previously we had trouble after the incident at the airport, we had trouble in Leeds and so on. So what worries me is there seems to be a readiness amongst people to go out on the streets, cause trouble, smash up property and attack the police.
That’s absolutely unacceptable, whatever the reason for doing it and I think the priority now has got to be to stop the civic unrest, to stop the public disorder taking place.
Peaceful protests are fine. I’ve taken part in them myself. Violent protests, it doesn’t matter what your cause is.
In contrast to most senior Conservative figures, who have been broadly supportive of the government’s stance over the violent disorder of recent days, Matthews singled out Labour for criticism. He told viewers:
I think it has been unfortunate that some of the members of the Labour party, including ministers, have made some comments, which perhaps would indicate that they might take a more lenient attitude, depending on what the cause is that people are protesting about.
Matthews’ published books include titles on cryptozoology and alien encounters, and in 2021 as PCC he banned staff from contact with Black Lives Matter organisers.
Another rioter jailed for 32 months
Following the sentencing of two men in Liverpool for their part in what the judge called “an utterly lawless mob” there, PA reports that another man has been jailed for 32 months for violent disorder during riots in Plymouth on Monday.
PA reports:
Michael Williams, 51, of Sparkwell, Devon, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a charge of violent disorder relating to Monday’s incident.
Judge Robert Linford, sentencing Williams and a second defendant at Plymouth crown court on Thursday, said that “thugs like you … ran amok”.
He said Williams was “seen to be fighting and kicking another male” and when he was arrested he was found with a stone in his jogging bottoms.
The judge dismissed as “ludicrous” Williams’s claim that it was a “healing stone”.In video footage played to the court, Williams chanted “Allah, Allah, who the f*** is Allah” after his arrest, and repeatedly swore at police.
Edward Bailey, for Williams, said that the defendant “didn’t set out on this particular evening with the intention of violence” and “had been drinking earlier that day”.
Updated
Earlier today, a fabricated image of a non-existent Telegraph article was shared widely on X.
The screenshot showed a headline stating rioters could be sent to “emergency detainment camps” on the Falkland Islands.
Now, the Telegraph has issued a statement confirming that “no such article has ever been published by the Telegraph”.
The Telegraph is aware of an image circulating on X which purports to be a Telegraph article about 'emergency detainment camps'.
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) August 8, 2024
No such article has ever been published by the Telegraph.
Police in Kent have said two people were arrested in Chatham and one in Dover on Wednesday night, but said there had been “no serious disorder” in the county, despite apparent far-right threats to target towns there.
PA reports:
A Kent Police spokesman said a number of people with opposing views attended a location on Maidstone Road in Chatham where two people were arrested on suspicion of public order offences.
“One was alleged to have shouted racial abuse and another made homophobic comments to a police officer,” the spokesman added.
“No serious disorder was reported and there were no injuries.
“There was also no violence or disorder reported anywhere else in the county, however, one man was arrested at a small gathering in Saxon Street, Dover, for common assault and causing criminal damage to a mobile phone.”
Updated
There were five arrests in Belfast on Wednesday night after a crowd set bins alight and threw missiles at police officers.
Speaking today after a meeting of the Northern Ireland executive at Stormont, first minister Michelle O’Neill condemned the riots:
We are unequivocally collective in our determination to say no to racism, and stand firmly united in terms of what we see unfolding in front of us.
There is no place in our society for racism in any of its forms. The racist attacks on people, on businesses and homes are absolutely wrong, and have created such a deep fear. A fear that I think perhaps none of us have every seen before among many parts of our community.
There are many people feeling extremely vulnerable, feeling fearful, fearful for their families.
We have mothers who are afraid to walk their children to the park, we have children who are afraid to go to youth clubs and to schemes. We have healthcare workers that are afraid to go to work. We have nurses that are afraid to go home and that is not acceptable.
That is the real, human impact of this type of activity, this type of racist activity in our society. It speaks volumes in terms of hate because that is what it is and it must stop.
Those responsible must and will face the full rigours of the force of the law.”
Two men given 32-month sentences in Liverpool as judge says they formed part of 'utterly lawless mob'
Judge Andrew Menary has handed down 32-month prison sentences in Liverpool Crown Court to two men who pleaded guilty to violent disorder after unrest last week on Merseyside.
John O’Malley, 43, who had two previous convictions, including a recent one for assault by beating, was sentenced to 32 months’ imprisonment.
69-year-old William Nelson Morgan was sentenced to 32 months’ imprisonment for violent disorder with a concurrent sentence of six months for possessing a wooden baton as an offensive weapon.
During sentencing the judge said the pair were involved in “a large and utterly lawless mob.”
Menary said:
There were [those who saw the deaths by stabbing of three girls in Southport] as an opportunity to sow division and hatred, and so published on social media and in printed leaflets false information about the supposed nationality, ethnicity and religion of the alleged attack. Of course, all of that was complete nonsense. But from that point on, it has been used as a pretext for widespread violence, intimidation and damage.
It is estimated that there were about 1,000 so-called protesters present that night, though quite what they were protesting about remains a mystery to many. The mob were quite deliberately targeting a mosque. Officers were subjected to repeated foul abuse and threats, and deeply offensive racist language was directed at the mosque and everybody or anyone inside, and over several hours, windows were smashed and walls were demolished.
The recovered bricks were hurled time and again at the police, who were attempting to protect the community. A police vehicle was set on fire and the mosque was very badly damaged, as were other buildings in the area.
Over 50 police officers were injured, and the people doing all of this that night weren’t exercising some right to freedom of expression, or lawful protest, but rather they were exploiting the anguish of others, either to further their own twisted ideology, or more likely as an excuse simply for vandalism, intimidation and violence.
They are criminals and they do not represent the decent people who were appalled by their behaviour and left subsequently to clean up their mess.
Updated
Starmer said 'most important lesson' to learn will be the one learned by those jailed for violent disorder
Keir Starmer has said “the most important lesson” to be taken from the violent disorder over the last days is the one that will be learned by those receiving jail sentences for participating.
PA Media reports that asked by broadcasters about lessons learned and what the government could do differently in the future, the prime minister replied:
The most important lesson is for those involving themselves in disorder, because what we’ve seen is that those who’ve been arrested – now numbered in their hundreds, many have been charged, some already in court, and now a number of individuals sentenced to terms of imprisonment, that is a very important message to those involved in disorder.
And I say it again, anybody involving themselves in disorder, whatever they claim as their motive, will feel the full force of the law.
It’s important I repeat that because we need to make sure that in the coming days, we can give the necessary reassurance to our communities, many of whom are very anxious about the situation.
Starmer to hold Cobra meeting with police chiefs to 'reflect on last night but also plan for the coming days'
Prime minister Keir Starmer will chair another Cobra meeting with law
enforcement officials on Thursday afternoon to “reflect on last night” and
plan for the coming days, PA Media reports.
After a visit to a mosque in Solihull on Thursday morning, the prime minister told broadcasters “Now it’s important that we don’t let up here and that’s why later on today I will have another Cobra meeting with law enforcement, with senior police officers, to make sure that we reflect on last night but also plan for the coming days.”
While in the West Midlands Starmer held a roundtable discussion with Justice secretary Shabana Mahmood, West Midlands mayor Richard Parker, and members of the Muslim community, and he met police officers who attended recent disorder.
Northern Ireland’s MLAs are returning to Stormont today to debate the violence that has affected Belfast over the last few nights.
The SDLP have posted an image from outside the assembly, with the message “SDLP representatives are standing with members of other political parties, trade unions and civic society groups at Stormont today. The racist attacks, intimidation and oppression of this week do not represent our society. We will not give into it.”
SDLP representatives are standing with members of other political parties, trade unions and civic society groups at Stormont today.
— The SDLP (@SDLPlive) August 8, 2024
The racist attacks, intimidation and oppression of this week do not represent our society. We will not give into it. pic.twitter.com/ldyXv8BDFB
Three people have been arrested after protests in Hampshire on Wednesday, according to Hampshire constabulary. PA Media reports they include an 18-year-old from Eastleigh and a 17-year-old from Portsmouth.
In Manchester a man has been remanded in custody after appearing in court charged with violent disorder after disturbances outside a hotel in Manchester which was being used to house asylum seekers.
The Law Society of England and Wales has said threats against lawyers who have supported migrants “were an attack on our democratic values”.
PA Media reports that in a statement, its president Nick Emmerson said:
We are continuing to support our members and have been contacting the solicitors’ firms and advice agencies on the target list to ensure they are safe following the planned riots yesterday.
We thank the UK government and the police for their efforts and support in recent days to keep solicitors and legal advice centres safe. The threats have been incredibly distressing for those targeted.
We also commend those in the community who came out to peacefully defend their local area and businesses last night.
These threats against our legal profession were an attack on our democratic values. Now is the time for our country and our leaders to reaffirm their commitment to the rule of law. They must ensure that all those who have committed crimes in recent days face swift justice.
Siân Berry, the recently elected Green party MP for Brighton Pavilion, has been speaking to LBC about her experience last night during the anti-racism protest in Brighton which she attended.
She told listeners “it was incredibly heartening to see so much togetherness, leadership from people from Brighton, and we saw that right across the country as well. People were absolutely determined to put themselves in a position of defending these targets that had been rumoured on the internet."
“It really gave me enormous heart that there is this feeling in the country, and that it provides such a deterrent to the far right. Hopefully they’ll realise they are a tiny minority. The vast majority of people in the country are anti-racist.”
Berry went on to say that she was concerned that “we have seen far too many young people, very young people, drawn into this current wave of racist violence” and that what was required was “genuine investment from the government in society, and building community cohesion.”
As part of her media round this morning, policing minister Diana Johnson appeared live from Westminster on GB News, in a segment during which she was adamant that there was no such things as “two-tier policing” in the UK, and said that such comments were “hugely wrong” and “irresponsible” to make at this time.
Asked about accusations of two-tier policing, she told viewers:
First of all, there is no two-tier policing. Policing in this country is done without fear or favour. I want to be very clear about that.
And I think it’s hugely wrong at this stage to be making those comments. It is irresponsible to say that. We need to get behind the police.
And the government have been very clear. The police have our full support in dealing with this criminality and violence on our streets.
They have a very difficult job to do, and that kind of comment is completely wrong. And it makes me incredibly angry at this stage when our police are facing this level of disorder that someone would make those comments.
In a separate segment of the interview it was put to Johnson that people coming out to attend anti-racist rallies “almost becomes vigilantism” and “makes it much harder for the police”. She said in reply:
What we were saying in government yesterday was encouraging people not to go on these counter protests. We wanted the police to be able to do their job and dealing with some of the incidents that we knew were possibly going to happen last evening.
Clearly, some people, as they have the right to do, came out to peacefully protest. And that’s a tradition in this country, isn’t it?
Johnson said:
I think that what we saw last night were the vast majority the law abiding people of this country expressing a view that we live in a tolerant Britain, we are law abiding people. We do not like to see this disorder, this violence, this criminality on our streets.
So I think it’s the public revulsion at what happened, the police being on our streets providing that security and safety, and then the swift justice. I think it’s a combination of things that makes me cautiously optimistic about how this is now being dealt with.
Libby Brooks is the Guardian’s Scotland correspondent
Scotland’s first minister John Swinney has called for “vigilance” as he warned that faith communities in Scotland are experiencing “a great deal of fear and anxiety as a consequence of what they’re observing in other parts of the United Kingdom”.
In a lengthy interview on BBC Radio Scotland, Swinney said that there were “comprehensive, intelligence-led” police plans in place to deal with similar “protests” advertised on social media across the country in the coming weeks, and that the courts will use swift justice plans already in place from Cop26 should rioting occur in Scotland.
After convening a gathering of faith leaders yesterday, Swinney said that both Muslim and Jewish representatives were feeling “acutely anxious”.
“I was able to reassure them by the very clear political leadership in Scotland that believes that community cohesion is an important foundation of our society. I will use my office as first minister and I’ll work with other political parties to make it clear that this country has absolutely no tolerance of bigotry and violence and hatred and Islamophobia and antisemitism. We just won’t have it in Scotland.”
He said that Police Scotland were right to “stamp on” misinformation, after Tommy Robinson attempted to weaponise a stabbing in Stirling at the weekend by suggesting a Muslim was involved, which was completely wrong.
Five overnight arrests in Belfast as Police Service of Northern Ireland requests reinforcements
Rory Carroll is the Guardian’s Ireland correspondent
The Police Service of Northern Ireland has requested reinforcements from Great Britain to bolster its response to consecutive nights of disorder in Belfast.
The force submitted a request for additional officers from across the UK to the National Police coordination Centre on Wednesday amid recurring disturbances since Saturday.
Police arrested five men on Wednesday night after a crowd in east Belfast set bins alight and threw missiles at officers.
The request for reinforcements exposed a force that was overstretched, underfunded and at “breaking point”, said Liam Kelly, chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland. “Due to successive deficit budgets, we are already without ten level one public order crews – two units of fifty highly trained officers – which adds enormous pressure on to the remaining specialist units.”
In a YouTube message the PSNI chief Jon Boutcher told the Muslim community that officers will be “standing in harm’s way” to protect them. “It’s clear to me you are living in fear … and I want to assure you: we will deal with it.”
Several owners of shops that have been attacked have complained that police came too late.
Ministers met at the Stormont executive on Thursday ahead of a recall of the assembly, which is interrupting a summer break to discuss the crisis. “These people that are involved in violent activity do not speak for us, never have and never will,” said Michelle O’Neill, the first minister.
Carla Denyer, the co-leader of the Green party of England and Wales, has said she is “incredibly proud” of the people of Bristol for their anti-racism demonstration last night, and called on the Labour government to put forward a new strategy against Islamophobia.
In a statement on social media, the recently elected MP for Bristol Central said:
I was incredibly proud to see the people of Bristol come out last night to say that racism and hatred aren’t welcome in our city. I know that the violence we’ve seen in recent days has made many members of our community, particularly Muslims, people of colour and those seeking asylum, feel fearful and unsafe.
Last night’s scenes of peace and unity are a much needed reminder that the vast majority of us care about our communities, and abhor everything that the far-right stand for.
The people of Bristol have shown real leadership, and I hope the government will follow suit. The prime minister should make it a priority to agree a strategy to counter Islamophobia at all levels in society and online, as well as putting real new investment in supporting community cohesion.
I was incredibly proud to see the people of Bristol come out last night to say that racism and hatred aren't welcome in our city.
— Carla Denyer (@carla_denyer) August 8, 2024
I know that the violence we've seen in recent days has made many members of our community, particularly Muslims, people of colour and those seeking…
Fellow Green MP, Ellie Chowns, who represents North Herefordshire, said on social media:
I’m so heartened that communities across the UK have come together to stand against racism, show solidarity and oppose discrimination. Our country must not be divided by those (including some politicians) who scapegoat and spread lies and hatred. The UK has shown: we are better than that.
I'm so heartened that communities across the UK have come together to stand against racism, show solidarity & oppose discrimination.
— Ellie Chowns (@EllieChowns) August 8, 2024
Our country must not be divided by those (incl some politicians) who scapegoat & spread lies & hatred.
The UK has shown: we are better than that.
Five more men have been charged following disorder across Manchester at the weekend, Greater Manchester police said. PA Media reports four have been charged with violent disorder and one with criminal damage.
Merseyside police said two more men had been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder in Southport. It brings the total number arrested for disorder in Southport and Liverpool to 44.
Ruth Cadbury, Labour MP for Brentford and Isleworth and former shadow prisons minister, has added her voice to those praising London’s police and population for a mostly peaceful night of anti-racist demonstration in the capital.
On social media she reposted a video clip of comments by Met commissioner Mark Rowley, and added her own words:
A huge thank you to all the police and emergency services across London who were on hand to keep us all safe yesterday. From those deployed on the street, to those in senior leadership position we saw an extremely proactive response yesterday.
As the commissioner rightly said the unity we saw from London’s communities yesterday and the work to reassure everyone made a huge difference. I’m keeping in close contact with the police, council and faith groups. We will not allow this to divide us in Hounslow.
Met police make more arrests over disorder outside Downing Street last month
The Metropolitan police said officers have made 10 more arrests over the violent disorder outside Downing Street on Wednesday 31 July. This takes the total number arrested to 121, PA Media reports.
Met Commissioner Mark Rowley joined officers making arrests in Sutton, south London and said “Over the last week dozens of officers have continued to investigate the violent disorder which broke out in Whitehall last Wednesday. They scoured thousands of hours of footage from body worn video, CCTV, and social media to identify those responsible for fuelling and committing the thuggish and violent behaviour we saw.”
Rowley continued:
Their efforts have resulted in a series of crucial arrests last night and in the early hours of this morning.
What I want to make really clear is those we’ve arrested aren’t protesters, patriots or decent citizens. They’re thugs and criminals. Around 70% have previous convictions for weapon possession, violence, drugs and other serious offences. Some have football banning orders. These are violent people taking to the streets under the guise of protest to engage in disorder.
We’ve been really clear we won’t tolerate hate or intimidation. Ordinary Londoners have a right to live their lives without being in fear. Our message is clear – anyone thinking of causing disorder and disruption will be found and will be brought to justice.
I expect many if not all of those arrested over the past 24 hours will be charged, will go to court and will spend years in prison.”
A man has been charged following an investigation into the alleged posting online of content encouraging violence against police officers and promoting public disorder, Cumbria police said.
PA Media reports Stuart Burns, 41, of Briar Bank, Carlisle, has been charged with two counts of an offence under section 127 of the communications act and has been remanded in custody.
Sadiq Khan pays tribute to police and 'those who came out peacefully to show London stands united against racism and Islamophobia'
Sadiq Khan has paid tribute to police officers and thanked those who demonstrated “peacefully” on Wednesday night to “show London stands united against racism”.
In a statement, the Mayor of London said: “I would like to pay tribute to the outstanding work of our police officers across London last night. And to those who came out peacefully to show London stands united against racism and Islamophobia last night – thank you.
“We have seen appalling violence and disorder in towns and cities across the country in recent days, but there was no repeat in our capital overnight. The Met has worked tirelessly to make it clear that such violence will not be tolerated and that anyone seeking to engage in disorder and sow division would face the full force of the law.
“I remain in close contact with the Met Commissioner and local people will continue to see an increased police presence across areas of London in the coming days as they seek to reassure and protect our communities.
“I’m clear that there is no place for violence, racism, Islamophobia and antisemitism in our city and we will never let those who seek to divide our communities win. London is proud of our diversity and of being an open and welcoming city, and always will be.”
Labour's police minister: 'we will come for you' if you have been inciting violent disorder online
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Labour’s policing minister Diana Johnson has said that people inciting violent disorder online will also face justice, saying “we will come for you just as much as we will come for you for what you do on the streets”.
She told viewers:
It’s not just those physical acts on the street that we’re going to make sure people are brought to account for, but it’s also what’s happening online.
And that’s really important. This week, we saw the first person being charged and convicted of what he’d done online, inciting violence, racial violence. And that is important.
If you do stuff online we will come for you just as much as we will come for you for what you do on the streets of our country if you are carrying out criminal disorder and violence.
She said that over 400 people have been arrested, and said “I’m hoping and I know that number will increase today,” adding “We’ve got over 140 people charged, that number will go up as well, and we will start to see again today, more people going into court and receiving sentences.”
Police minister Diana Johnson has said it is matter for football and rugby clubs themselves if they want to take banning action against people convicted of being part of far-right violent disorder over the last few days.
PA Media reports she told listeners of LBC:
I think all options are being looked at, to be honest, and I am pretty clear that most football clubs do not want to be seen to have football hooligans and people carrying out criminal acts on the streets of the local communities in their stands on a Saturday.
So I think that’s a very live debate that’s going on at the moment, and I think there are consequences for people’s bad behaviour on our streets and their criminal activity, and if that’s what football clubs or rugby clubs choose to do, that’s a matter for them, but all tactics and all options should be looked at.
Tory leadership candidate Mel Stride: Farage's Southport comments were 'deeply unhelpful' and fuel for conspiracy theories
Conservative leadership candidate Mel Stride has criticised Reform UK leader Nigel Farage over comments he made last week about the stabbing of children in Southport, describing the Clacton MP’s comments questioning whether “the truth is being withheld” as “deeply unhelpful” and accusing him of providing fuel for conspiracy theories.
Speaking on Sky News, Stride told viewers, after England and Northern Ireland had seen days of far-right anti-immigrant violence on the streets:
I think one element to this debate that has been skated over, and shouldn’t have been actually, [are] the remarks made by Nigel Farage.
For example, when they terrible incident in Southport first occurred, his suggestion that the police might have not been telling the truth about that situation, I think helped fuel conspiracy theories around what was happening [and] was deeply unhelpful.
I think linking what happened in Southport with the terrible incident that happened regarding a uniformed soldier in Kent over the last week is also a very unfortunate linkage. And particularly suggesting that perhaps terrorism might have been involved when the authorities are saying that it hasn’t.
And I think those things are examples of the kind of language and interventions that at a moment of crisis are deeply unhelpful. I think that’s why we need level heads and moderation, as well as very firm action.
In the video last week, which is still available on social media platform X, Farage said after news broke that a third girl had died as a result of the stabbing attack:
Well, it’s pretty horrendous a third young girl has died as a result of the stabbings yesterday in Southport. I obviously join everybody in my horror at what has happened. I know the prime minister went to lay flowers and was heckled, and it shows you how unhappy the public are with the state of law and order in our country.
I have to say there are one or two questions. Was this guy being monitored by the security services? Some reports say he was. Others less sure. The police say it’s a non-terror incident, just as they said the stabbing of an army Lt Col in uniform on the streets of Kent the other day was a non-terror incident.
I just wonder whether the truth is being withheld from us. I don’t know the answer to that. I think it is a fair and legitimate question. What I do know is something is going horribly wrong in our once beautiful country.
Conservative leadership contender Mel Stride has been asked about comments made by fellow leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick, and said that he does not agree with Jenrick that saying Allahu Akbar on the streets should automatically be an offence warranting an arrest.
He told Sky News viewers:
Well, I would disagree with that position, because I don’t think that in all circumstances that somebody shouts that term on the streets in London, they should immediately be arrested.
Now that doesn’t detract from the fact that where there is clear intimidation, where is clear incitement to violence, engagement in violence, that there shouldn’t be a robust response. And Robert and I are in total agreement in terms of not tolerating any of that kind of behaviour.
I just don’t agree with a statement that says that effectively under all circumstances where somebody shouts those words, that translates as broadly God is the greatest, that they should be immediately arrested. I just don’t think that is a is an appropriate position to take.
Sky News presenter Wilfred Frost tried to engage Stride with questions about whether this difference of views meant he would or wouldn’t be able to work with Jenrick in the future after the leadership contest, but Stride shut that line of questioning down with a curt “I’m not gonna speculate about what any candidate might do in the event that they win.”
Mel Stride: Conservatives can get back in government 'in one term' with right leader
Conservative leadership hopeful Mel Stride has been quite bullish this morning on the party’s electoral prospects in the future, claiming that with the right leader, the party could be back in power after just one term of Keir Starmer’s Labour government. He told Sky News viewers:
If we have the right leader, he unites the party and does the hard yards of the policy platform development that we will need to reach out to those people that we lost to Reform – and there are issues there around migration, net migration, lower taxation – but equally appreciate the fact that we’ve got to reach out to those Labour and Liberal Democrat voters who were previously Conservatives. We’ve got to do both those things.
If we can do that, and we can reform our party machine, so that it is a really powerful, dynamic local campaigning machine, and that needs a lot of reform, and we need to do well in the [local] elections in May as a consequence of that reform, then we can get back in one term.
This is a government that got in with the lowest share of the popular vote of any government in history. In fact, for those that were able to vote in this election, only one in five voted Labour. It is quite possible for us to turn this around in one cycle, and to win the next general election.
But we need the right leader to do that fundamental change that the party needs now.
Tory Mel Stride: police have done a good job 'in very, very difficult circumstances'
Conservative Mel Stride has praised the police for “getting the balance right” in dealing with the “mindless thuggery” of the last few days, and said that he was “undoubtedly” encouraged by the lack of violence last night.
The leadership hopeful told Sky News viewers:
I think that is a tribute to the police. And I think they have done a very good job in getting in amongst the situation. Taking robust policing, getting that balance right, and also of course, getting the judiciary involved, getting people through the courts. We’ve already seen some sentences meted out already, as a clear deterrent to those that would otherwise get involved in this mindless thuggery that we’ve seen over the last few days.
Stride expressed broad support for how the government had handled the situation, saying:
This has been a really difficult moment for our country. A moment of fairly acute crisis. It is very important that opposition and everybody in public life does what they can to be moderate, and take robust action, certainly, but also be moderate in the way that we approach it. And I think that does extend to the view that one takes the actions of the government. The reality is that the police have done extraordinarily I think, good job in very, very difficult circumstances.
Labour’s policing minister Diana Johnson said she believed that most MPs in parliament, regardless of party, had been supportive of the government’s response to the far-right violence seen on the streets of England and Northern Ireland in recent days.
She told viewers of Sky News:
I think that the vast majority of members of parliament understand that they need to stand for their communities, and the vast majority for people in their communities who are law abiding and tolerant.
So I have done briefings with MPs, members of the House of Lords, cross-party to try to ensure that all MPs understand what is happening. To feed in any questions that they have to the system.
But the vast majority of MPs that I’ve been speaking to have been supportive of the action taken to clamp down on that criminality on our streets.
I think obviously, we’re in the middle of a Conservative leadership election, and clearly there’s positioning and posturing going on there, but I think my overall view is that members of parliament are supportive of the action of the police and of the government.
Labour’s policing minister Diana Johnson has said that MPs have a responsibility for “being moderate in their language” after being asked about Robert Jenrick’s comments yesterday.
Jenrick, who is one of those contesting the leadership of the Conservative party sparked criticism when he said “I thought it was quite wrong, that somebody could shout about Allahu Akbar out on the streets of London and not be immediately arrested”. While the phrase has been associated with Islamist terrorism, it is simply the Arabic for “God is great”, and is used every day by Muslims in prayers.
Johnson told viewers:
I think all politicians at this stage need to be very careful about the language that they use. The country over the last few days, you know, the terrible events in Southport, I think the country has been very shocked by that tragic event and then the public disorder that we’ve seen.
So I think all politicians have a role in being moderate in their language, supporting the police, and speaking on behalf of the law abiding majority in this country. That’s what I would say all politicians should be doing at this stage.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the Metropolitan police commissioner Mark Rowley has confirmed that his force are actively carrying out operations this morning. He told listeners:
We’ve been out doing some dawn raids this morning, the people who were most violent in the Whitehall protests and violence last week … about 70% of them have got criminal backgrounds.
We’ve got criminal damage, violence, weapons offences, football banning orders. These are criminal thugs. Any suggestion that they’re patriots, or they’ve got a cause that they’re protesting about is nonsense, and frankly, most of them are going to be charged with violent disorder and most of them are going to prison for a few years.
Northern Ireland assembly to meet at noon to discuss violence in Belfast
Prime minister Keir Starmer has resisted calls for parliament to be recalled, but the Northern Ireland assembly in Stormont will convene a plenary session today at noon to discuss recent scenes of violent disorder on the streets of Belfast.
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions is set to lead a rally outside the meeting in opposition to the rioting, PA Media reports.
MLAs will debate a motion condemning “criminal damage and targeting of businesses in recent days”. Traditional Unionist Voice MLA Timothy Gaston has tabled an amendment to the motion demanding that the assembly support “the right to peaceful protest, including against uncontrolled immigration”.
During a visit to Belfast yesterday, Northern Ireland secretary Hilary Benn condemned “racist violence” in Belfast in recent days and stressed that it “does not represent Northern Ireland”.
Labour's policing minister: previous government 'hollowed out' neighbourhood policing
Labour policing minister Diana Johnson has criticised the previous Conservative government for “hollowing out” the police force over the last 14 years.
Asked on Sky News if she felt police had the right resources to tackle the type of violent disorder seen on the streets of England and Northern Ireland in recent days, she said:
We’re four weeks into a Labour government. One of our promises in the manifesto was we want to increase police numbers in neighbourhood policing. We think that’s been hollowed out over the last 14 years.
We know we’ve got a lot of young officers in service because there was a massive cut to the police in the last 14 years. At the tail end of the previous government, they did increase numbers again, but that’s a lot of young, inexperienced officers, who are doing a remarkable job, I have to say.
So I think there are some questions about how we go forward, making sure that our officers have the training and the leadership that they need, but I am really very proud of what the police have been able to do over the last few days, facing this level of criminality on some of the streets in our country.
Policing minister Diana Johnson says 'good' we didn't see 'disorder and criminality' but 'this is just the start'
Asked if she felt things had turned a corner, Labour’s policing minister Diana Johnson said she was “cautious” about what happened last night, saying “It’s good that we didn’t see the level of disorder and criminality on our streets that we have in previous days. But obviously this is just the start.”
She told Sky News she wanted to pay tribute “to the work of our police officers up and down the country. Over the last few days, some of them have faced violence and abuse. They put themselves in harm’s way on behalf of keeping us all safe. So I think we need to pay tribute to them. I also want to pay tribute to the leaders of the policing community.”
Johnson attributed the lack of expected violence last night to “the presence of the police on our streets, combined with the consequences that people are now seeing for the actions that they’ve taken … over 400 people arrested … over 120 people charged.”
She said “There are consequences for the criminality on our streets, and I think that swift justice that we’re seeing is also helping to make people think twice about getting involved on the streets.”
Via my colleague Helen Livingstone, here is a round-up of how the press in the UK covered last night:
UK headlines were dominated by far-right rallies and the protesters who set out to counter them, with much of the expected violence failing to materialise. Even as shops shut up early and local police forces in England and Wales braces for unrest, far-right gatherings either did not take place or were outnumbered by counter-protesters who formed human chains around asylum centres.
The Guardian splashed on “Thousands take to the streets to counter threat from far right” with a picture of crowds in Walthamstow, east London waving placards reading “Refugees welcome” and “Stop the far right”.
The Daily Telegraph ran with “Britain shuts up shop over riots threat”, reporting that MPs had been advised to work from home while GP surgeries closed and shops boarded up their windows, with a picture of a man hammering up plywood across the front of a Samaritans charity shop in Southend, Essex.
The i headlined on “Far-right rioters face football ban as ministers bid to curb unrest”, writing that rioters involved in violence could be barred from matches as “police probe links with hooliganism”.
Read more here: ‘Standing together’: What the papers say about far-right rallies and counter-protests
Shamann Freeman-Powell, speaking to viewers from Walthamstow, just gave viewers of Sky News a rundown of some places where there had been minor trouble last night. She said:
In Portsmouth near a Border Force agency, some people there were holding up banners saying “save our kids” and chanting some of the same sort of sentiments. In Aldershot as well, officers said that they had to separate some opposing protesters as tempers did flare. In Bristol one arrest was made after a brick was thrown at a police vehicle.
Last night’s counter-protests were the subject of our First Edition newsletter today, with Archie Bland looking at how events unfolded:
It is too early to say with certainty why the far right were so heavily outnumbered last night, but we can make some educated guesses.
The extremists are not centrally organised, and it’s not like there was a sign-up sheet being distributed: it may be that there were never that many people who intended to show up in the first place. The mugshots, charges and prison sentences that have already been handed out to some of the perpetrators of the recent violence may have made others realise the risk of following in their footsteps.
The well-publicised extent of the police presence at potential flashpoints could also have been off-putting. And for those who did turn up, the presence of overwhelming numbers of counter-protesters may have led to a loss of nerve – and either very limited actions, or a decision to slink quietly away.
That is not to say that the night passed off wholly without trouble: in Blackpool, Aldershot, Portsmouth, and Chatham in Kent – as well as a few other places – there were confrontations between the two sides, or episodes of vandalism and intimidation. But those flashpoints were in the minority. Here are a few of the stories of what happened everywhere else.
Read more here: Thursday briefing: The story of the night when the far right were outnumbered
Rowley: police and communities together 'defeated the challenges that we’ve seen'
The Metropolitan police commissioner has described Wednesday evening as a “successful operation” and said that communities and police working togehter
In his statement Mark Rowley he said:
It was a massive policing operation. I’m really pleased with how it went. We put thousands of officers on the streets, and I think the show of force from the police, and frankly, the show of unity from communities together, defeated the challenges that we’ve seen, and it went up very peacefully last night.
He added that there were “a couple of locations where local criminals turned out to try and create a bit of antisocial behavior and we arrested a few of them” but he concluded:
It was a very successful night, and the fears of sort of extreme right disorder were abated. So, a successful operation, thanks to communities and police.
Welcome and opening summary …
Good morning, and welcome to our ongoing coverage of UK politics on a morning when most of the headlines are about broadly peaceful anti-racism demos. The man in charge of London’s police has described the evening as a “successful operation” when communities and police came together. Met commissioner Mark Rowley said “I’m really pleased with how it went”. We are expecting to hear from policing minister Diana Johnson, and Conservative MP Mel Stride is also on media duties this morning.
It is Martin Belam with you for the next few hours. You can get in touch at martin.belam@theguardian.com.
