Starmer’s Firm Stand Against Far-Right Rioters And Call To Action Cobra Meeting: “You Will Regret It”
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/5th August 2024
In response to the escalating violence perpetrated by far-right groups targeting hotels housing asylum seekers, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced a Cobra emergency meeting on Monday. This meeting, involving key ministers and police representatives, aims to formulate a robust response to prevent further incidents of disorder and ensure those responsible face justice.
Addressing the nation on Sunday, Starmer condemned the actions of these rioters, labeling them “far-right thuggery.” He emphasized that participants in these violent acts would face the full weight of the law, promising swift and severe consequences for their actions. Starmer’s stern message was clear: “You will regret taking part in this disorder.”
The violence reached a new peak on the sixth day of unrest, with masked rioters attacking the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham. They smashed windows, started fires, and hurled projectiles at police officers, resulting in multiple injuries, including one officer who was knocked unconscious. South Yorkshire Police reported at least one arrest and warned others involved to expect imminent action.
Similarly, in Tamworth, rioters targeted another Holiday Inn believed to house asylum seekers. The mob threw projectiles, broke windows, and set fires, leading to clashes with Staffordshire Police. Such scenes of chaos were not isolated; in Middlesbrough, a large crowd attacked a mosque, damaged property, and hurled objects at officers while shouting racial slurs.
In response to these violent incidents, the Home Office announced a new “rapid response process” to enhance protection for mosques and other places of worship. This initiative is designed to swiftly address and mitigate threats against religious institutions, ensuring community safety.
Greater Manchester Police invoked a Section 60AA order amid disturbances in Bolton, granting officers the authority to require individuals to remove face coverings used for concealment. This measure is part of broader efforts to identify and apprehend those involved in the riots.
The unrest follows the tragic killing of three young girls in Southport last week, an event that has sparked widespread violence across England and Northern Ireland. The situation poses a significant challenge to Starmer’s leadership, prompting calls from MPs like Ian Byrne and Dame Priti Patel for a parliamentary recall to debate the riots. Former Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf even suggested deploying the army to restore order, although ministers have thus far maintained that police resources are sufficient.
Starmer reassured communities feeling targeted by the violence, stating that the rioters do not represent the values of the nation. He affirmed that law enforcement has his full support in taking decisive action against extremists seeking to sow discord and hatred.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper echoed Starmer’s sentiments, writing in The Times about the inevitable reckoning for those involved in the unrest and those inciting it online. She criticized the rioters as criminals and extremists, asserting that their actions betray the nation’s core values. Cooper emphasized that those responsible will face long-term repercussions.
Shadow Security Minister Tom Tugendhat, a contender for Conservative leadership, also condemned the violence, describing it as unjustifiable. He urged the government to allocate all necessary resources to support the police in quelling the unrest.
In a show of solidarity, Stand Up To Racism launched an Emergency Unity Fund, raising nearly £8,000 within 11 hours to combat far-right extremism and support affected communities.
As the government prepares for the Cobra meeting, the message from leadership is resolute: those engaging in or inciting violence will be held accountable, and the nation will stand united against such criminality.
