British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the chaotic scenes that unfolded in the aftermath of the stabbing as the “actions of a tiny, mindless minority” and condemned “far-right hatred”.
ADVERTISEMENTThe UK’s Prime Minister has condemned “far right thuggery” gripping the nation following a stabbing that left three children dead.
In a statement released on Sunday, Prime Minister Kier Starmer vowed his government would do “whatever it takes to bring these thugs to justice” as he addressed the nation following ongoing unrest across parts of the UK.
As he spoke, police in the English town of Rotherham struggled to hold back a mob of far-right rioters who were attempting to break into a hotel housing asylum seekers.
“There is no justification, none, for taking this action, and all right-minded people should be condemning this sort of violence,” Starmer said.
“I won’t shy away from calling it what it is, far-right thuggery,” he added.
Rioting has seized the UK following a stabbing rampage at a dance class last week that left three girls dead and several wounded.
Police have warned that other crimes may not be investigated fully as thousands of officers are deployed to combat the riots amidst widespread security measures.
Calls for protests have come from across social media, but a key player in amplifying them is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, a long-time far-right agitator who uses the name Tommy Robinson.
He led the English Defence League, which Merseyside Police has linked to a violent protest in Southport on Tuesday, a day after the stabbing.
Starmer vowed to end the mayhem and said police across the UK would be given more resources and that those taking part will face “the full force of the law.”
“I guarantee you will regret taking part in this disorder, whether directly or those whipping up this action online and then running away themselves. This is not protest. It is organised, violent thuggery and it has no place on our streets or online,” he said.
