UK riots: Keir Starmer announces emergency Cobra meeting in response to violence across country
The Cobra meeting with senior police officials comes after the PM insisted far-right thugs will face justice for the riots which gripped the country over the weekend
Keir Starmer will chair an emergency Cobra meeting today with senior police officials in response to widespread scenes of rioting.
It comes after the PM insisted far-right thugs will face justice for the riots which gripped the country over the weekend. Towns and cities across England suffered violence, disorder and looting at the hands of hate-filled anti-migrant mobs.
The PM used an emergency statement from No10 last night to tell those involved: “I guarantee you will regret taking part.” He added: “Whether directly, or those whipping up this action online, and then running away themselves. This is not a protest. It is organised, violent thuggery.
“Be in no doubt, those that have participated in this violence will face the full force of the law. The police will be making arrests. Individuals will be held on remand, charges will follow and convictions will follow.”
Mr Starmer’s statement came just hours after crowds attacked police and smashed the windows of a Holiday Inn Express housing asylum seekers in Rotherham. The PM described the rioters as: “Marauding gangs intent on law-breaking or worse.”
He added: “Residents and staff in absolute fear. There is no justification for this action.” Amid attacks on mosques, Nazi salutes and racist rhetoric on our streets, the PM said: “I won’t shy away from calling this what it is: Far-right thuggery.”
Mr Starmer will today chair an emergency Cobra meeting with senior ministers and police officials. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper also condemned the “criminal, violent” attack on the hotel, saying it was “utterly appalling”.
She added: “Deliberately setting fire to a building with people known to be inside. South Yorkshire Police have full government support for the strongest action against those responsible.”
In Middlesbrough, bricks and wheelie bins stuffed with burning debris were hurled at police officers in riot gear. People were detained during disorder in Nottingham’s Market Square, and police in Sunderland raided homes and made arrests following Saturday’s violence.
Last night, the Home Office announced mosques will be offered greater protection with “emergency security”. A total of over £50million has been set aside to protect faith communities.
Ms Cooper added: “In light of the disgraceful threats and attacks that local mosques have also faced in many communities, the government is providing rapid additional support through the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme, alongside the support from local police forces... anyone involved in this disorder and violence will face the full force of the law.
“As a nation, we will not tolerate criminal behaviour, extremism and racist attacks that go against everything our country stands for.”