Hundreds Arrested in Connection with Rioting across Parts of UK | BBC News

Aug 11, 2024 | Police have so far arrested 779 people in connection with rioting, with 349 of those charged, the National Police Chiefs' Council said.

It follows a week of violent disorder, including attacks on hotels housing asylum seekers and the looting of shops, which was fuelled by a false rumour that the Southport triple murder suspect was a Muslim asylum seeker.

Thousands of anti-racism protesters rallied in towns and cities across the country on Saturday. People took to the streets in cities including Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow and London.

Far-right Rioters in England Deterred by ‘Swift Justice’, Says Policing Minister

THE GUARDIAN: Diana Johnson says ‘we will come for you’ for online activity as much as physical violence on streets

Far-right rioters have been deterred by the administration of “swift justice”, the policing minister has said as she warned there would be further arrests and charges brought against suspects.

Diana Johnson said the de-escalation of violence on Wednesday night was “just the start” and argued that the speedy mobilisation of police officers had had a deterrent effect.

Shops were boarded up across the country in response to the threat of more than 100 planned anti-immigration protests, but in most places these failed to materialise after thousands of peaceful anti-racism demonstrators turned out.

Johnson told BBC Breakfast that the counter-demonstrations showed the UK’s “tradition of peaceful protest”. » | Eleni Courea, Political correspondent | Thursday, August 8, 2024

United against hate: England’s counter-protesters left with little to counter: From Newcastle to London to Bristol, anti-racist demonstrators stood up against threat of further racist riots »

UK: Large Anti-racism Protests Follow Days of Far-right Rioting | DW News

Aug 8, 2024 | Thousands of people have taken part in anti-racism protests across the UK. This comes after days of far-right rioting fuelled by outrage over the stabbing to death of three children and subsequent disinformation that falsely named an asylum seeker as the perpetrator. The riots saw mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers attacked, leaving minority communities on edge. DW's Rosie Birchard sent this report from Liverpool.

Businesses Board Up in London amid Fears of Far-right Violence

THE GUARDIAN: Shops close early, with more than 100 demonstrations planned to take place across capital

Businesses have boarded up, closed or plan to close early amid fears about potential violence as more than 100 far-right demonstrations are planned take place across England on Wednesday night.

Employers in some parts of the UK, including the capital, have also told employees feeling vulnerable that they can work from home.

In Finchley, north London, some shops along the High Road had shut. Foxtons North Finchley estate agents closed “due to the situation in London” and the “potential violence” that could result from the planned rallies, Jenna from the head office reception said.

The company had also closed its estate agents in Croydon, Walthamstow and Harrow, areas with immigration law and advice centres listed as targets.

Violence so far has largely targeted mosques, hotels housing asylum seekers, libraries and shops. » | Mabel Banfield-Nwachi | Wednesday, August 7, 2024

Thousands of UK Police Ready as Rioters Warned They Will Be Dealt With Quickly | BBC News

Aug 7, 2024 | UK police are preparing for more possible riots across England - with reports at least 30 protests could be planned for Wednesday. Nearly 6,000 officers have been mobilised, say police sources, and the communities minister Jim McMahon says anyone involved in disruption will face "the full force of the law".

More people are due in court throughout the day, after the first person was jailed over the clashes on Tuesday. The disorder erupted in cities across the country last week after the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport - with unrest fuelled by misinformation online that the suspect was an asylum seeker.

Inquests have opened into the deaths of the three girls - the coroner said they will be "missed beyond any description".

Rioters in England and Wales Could Be Charged with Terrorism Offences, Prosecutor Says | BBC News

Aug 6, 2024 | The director of public prosecutions in England and Wales says he is "willing" to consider charging some rioters with terrorism offences. Stephen Parkinson said he is “aware of at least one instance where that is happening”.

Suspects charged so far have faced allegations including violent disorder, which can lead to five years in jail. Some other suspects who have been arrested are being assessed for the more serious charge of rioting, that can lead to ten years.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to chair an emergency Cobra meeting tonight on efforts to tackle the unrest. The disorder follows the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport, with subsequent unrest fuelled by misinformation online, the far right and anti-immigration sentiment.

Prime Minister Condemns ‘Far-Right Thuggery’ as Riots Grip U.K.

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Protests escalated over the weekend in towns and cities in England and Northern Ireland, with dozens arrested and more demonstrations unfolding on Sunday.

Anti-immigration rioters attacked a hotel in the town of Rotherham in northern England on Sunday, breaking windows and appearing to set fires at a hotel that has housed asylum seekers, as riots continued in Britain.

The police in cities across the country have braced for continued far-right and anti-immigration protests spurred by a deadly stabbing attack last week in the northern English town of Southport. Disinformation spread rapidly that erroneously claimed the suspect in the knife attack was an immigrant. On Saturday, dozens of people were arrested as demonstrations from Liverpool to Belfast descended into violence.

Sunday saw a new wave of clashes, with groups gathering in Rotherham, Bolton, Hull, Southport, Middlesbrough and other towns and cities scattered across the country that devolved into varying degrees of violence.

In Rotherham, protesters smashed windows and set fires at a Holiday Inn Express before storming into the building as riot police officers struggled to control the rampaging crowd. The hotel had been used to house asylum seekers, but it was unclear if they were still staying at the site. » | Ali Watkins and Megan Specia | Sunday, August 4, 2024

Rioters Try to Torch Rotherham Asylum Seeker Hotel amid Rar-right Violence

THE GUARDIAN: Home secretary condemns ‘utterly appalling’ scenes as bottles and chairs thrown outside Holiday Inn Express

A far-right-led mob of masked rioters tried to set fire to a hotel housing asylum seekers as further violence flared across the country at anti-immigration protests.

Some 700 people gathered outside the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham, before clashing with police. Some rioters hurled pieces of wood, bottles and chairs, and sprayed fire extinguishers at police officers.

South Yorkshire police said at least 10 officers had been injured, including one who was left unconscious with a head injury. » | Emine Sinmaz, and Robyn Vinter in Rotherham | Monday, August 5, 2024

Watchdog should investigate Farage’s ‘dangerous comments’, says Liverpool MP: Kim Johnson says comments by Reform leader after the week’s violent disorder ‘cannot be left to fester’ »

'Far-right Thugs' in UK Will Be Swiftly Brought to Justice, Says Keir Starmer

Aug 4, 2024 | The prime minister has promised that targeting others because of their skin colour will be swiftly brought to justice. In a TV broadcast to the nation, he said: 'There is no justification, none, for taking this action and all right-minded people should be condemning this sort of violence.' ‘Far-right thugs’ will be swiftly brought to justice, Keir Starmer vows

PM Backs Police to Keep Streets Safe from 'Extremists'

Read the BBC article here.

The far right has moved online, where its voice is more dangerous than ever: Social media such as X are fuelling the growth of extremism by allowing its figureheads a platform to direct violence »

Violent Protests Grip English Cities in Wake of Knife Attack at Dance Class: Far-right groups have taken to the streets after a mass stabbing in the town of Southport was followed by a wave of disinformation about the identity of the attacker. »

Who Are the Far-Right Groups Behind the U.K. Riots?: After a deadly stabbing at a children’s event in northwestern England, an array of online influencers, anti-Muslim extremists and fascist groups have stoked unrest, experts say. »

Far-Right Groups Clash with Police as Unrest Spreads Across UK

Aug 3, 2024 | Far-Right groups have clashed with police in cities across Britain during a fourth day of unrest.

In Manchester, fighting broke out in Piccadilly Gardens as officers drew their batons to move a crowd back. Some in the crowd shouted “get out”, “f--- off” and “who the f--- is Allah?” to a small group of young Muslim women who were led away for their own safety by police.

Footage on social media also appeared to show far-Right groups in Stoke throwing stones in the direction of police. Violent skirmishes have also broken out between rival groups in Belfast. More demonstrations are taking place in Liverpool, Hull and Portsmouth.

Who Are the Far-Right Groups Behind the U.K. Riots?

THE NEW YOTK TIMES: After a deadly stabbing at a children’s event in northwestern England, an array of online influencers, anti-Muslim extremists and fascist groups have stoked the unrest, experts say.

Violent unrest has erupted in several towns and cities in Britain in recent days, and the authorities are bracing for further disorder this weekend as far-right agitators plan more rallies around the country.

The violence has been driven by online disinformation and extremist right-wing groups intent on creating disorder after a deadly knife attack on a children’s event in northwestern England, experts said.

A disparate range of far-right factions and individuals, including neo-Nazis, violence-prone soccer fans and anti-Muslim campaigners, have promoted and taken part in the unrest, which has also been stoked by online influencers.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has vowed to deploy additional police officers to crack down on the disorder. “This is not a protest that has got out of hand,” he said on Thursday. “It is a group of individuals who are absolutely bent on violence.”

Here is what we know about the unrest and some of those involved. » | Esther Bintliff and Eve Sampson, Esther Bintliff reported from London, and Eve Sampson from New York. | Saturday, August 3, 2024

Police in England Urged to Protect Mosques as Far Right Plans More Rallies

THE GUARDIAN: Fears asylum seeker accommodation may come under threat from ‘mindless thuggery’ of agitators

Police forces have been urged to step up patrols outside mosques and asylum seeker accommodation amid plans for at least 19 far-right rallies across England in coming days.

Violent demonstrations have spread from Southport to London, Hartlepool, Manchester and Aldershot after the stabbing atrocity at a children’s holiday club on Monday.

Community leaders on Thursday said they were increasingly fearful of further unrest after mosques and asylum seeker accommodation were targeted by crowds of “intimidating” agitators. » | Josh Halliday and Neha Gohil | Thursday, August 1, 2024

Keir Starmer Says Southport Rioters Will Feel ‘Full Force of the Law’

THE GUARDIAN: Far-right protesters threw bricks at officers, set vehicles on fire and attacked mosque

Keir Starmer has said those who rioted in Southport on Tuesday night will “feel the full force of the law” after police vehicles were set alight and missiles hurled at officers.

It came after far-right protesters pelted police with glass bottles and bricks and attacked a mosque following a knife attack that killed three children.

The prime minister said they had “hijacked the vigil for the victims with violence and thuggery” and “insulted the community as it grieves”. (+ videos) » | Hannah Al-Othman, Josh Halliday, Nadeem Badshah and Vikram Dodd | Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Actor Kevin Spacey Facing Sexual Assault Charges

BBC: Actor Kevin Spacey is to be charged with sexual assault against three men, the Crown Prosecution Service has confirmed.

Five charges are being brought against the 62-year-old after a review of Met Police evidence following complaints dating between 2005 and 2013.

Three complaints relate to sexual abuse which is alleged to have taken place in London, and one in Gloucestershire.

He also faces an additional serious sexual offence charge in London. » | BBC | Wednesday, May 26, 2022

Anklage gegen Spacey wegen sexueller Übergriffe auf drei Männer: Gegen den Schauspieler waren im Zuge der MeToo-Debatte Vorwürfe laut geworden. Es handele sich um insgesamt drei Fälle, die sich in England zugetragen haben sollen, teilte die britische Staatsanwaltschaft mit. »

L’acteur Kevin Spacey inculpé d’agressions sexuelles contre trois hommes au Royaume-Uni : Le parquet britannique autorise ainsi des poursuites pénales contre l’ancienne star de la série « House of Cards », accusée d’agressions sexuelles depuis 2017. »

Imran Ahmad Khan Sentenced to 18 Months over Sexual Assault of Boy, 15

THE GUARDIAN: Ex-MP jailed after being expelled from Tory party following conviction for groping teenager at party in 2008

The former Conservative MP Imran Ahmad Khan has been sentenced to 18 months in jail for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy after plying him with gin at a party in 2008.

The 48-year-old was expelled from the Conservative party and later resigned from the Commons, triggering a byelection in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, after he was convicted last month following a trial at Southwark crown court.

The judge, Mr Justice Baker, said Khan should serve 18 months, “half on custody, released on license for the remainder of the term, subject to recall should you commit a further offence”. » | Rachel Hall | Monday, May 23, 2022

Watch a SKY NEWS video here.

Energy Bills: Rishi Sunak Gives One-off £200 Discount to Households

THE GUARDIAN: Most consumers to get additional support from £150 rebate on their council tax amid cost of living crisis

A one-off £200 discount and a rebate on council tax bills have been announced by Rishi Sunak in a £9bn package designed to “take the sting” out of a £700-a-year rise in the average household’s energy bills in April.

The chancellor said 80% of households would receive £350 in support this year in response to the decision by the energy regulator Ofgem to raise its price cap to just under £2,000.

In an attempt to mitigate Britain’s cost of living crisis, Sunak said all households would receive £200 off their energy bills in October – but then pay the discount back by £40 a year for the subsequent five years.

The chancellor said council taxpayers in England in bands A to D would receive a rebate of £150 from their bills in April, which will not have to be paid back. » | Larry Elliott | Thursday, February 3, 2022

British households face record 54% energy bill rise as price cap is raised: Move by Ofgem means millions likely to be driven into fuel poverty unless government acts to ease cost of living crisis »

Former Peer Nazir Ahmed Found Guilty of Serious Sexual Assault

THE GUARDIAN: Ahmed found guilty of two counts of attempted rape and one of buggery when he was a teenager in 1970s

The former peer Nazir Ahmed has been found guilty of serious sexual assault against a young boy and the attempted rape of a girl when he was a teenager in the 1970s.

Ahmed, 64, was found guilty on Wednesday of buggery against a boy in Rotherham, and twice attempting to rape a girl.

Buggery was the legal term for the specific sexual assault at the time of the offences.

The former Lord Ahmed of Rotherham was charged alongside his two older brothers, Mohammed Farouq, 71, and Mohammed Tariq, 65, but both were deemed unfit to stand trial. » | Maya Wolfe-Robinson | Wednesday, January 5, 2022

Sir David Amess: Ali Harbi Ali Charged with Murder of MP

BBC: A 25-year-old man has been charged with murder and the preparation of terrorist acts after the fatal stabbing of MP Sir David Amess.

Ali Harbi Ali was arrested following the attack at a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, on Friday.

Sir David, a Conservative MP since 1983, suffered multiple stab wounds and died at the scene.

Mr Ali is a British man of Somali heritage whose father is a former adviser to Somalia's prime minister.

Nick Price, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "We will submit to the court that this murder has a terrorist connection, namely that it had both religious and ideological motivations."

Mr Ali, from north London, remains in custody and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court later. With video » | Joseph Lee | Thursday, October 21, 2021

Related

David Amess: MP’s Killing Declared a Terrorist Incident

THE GUARDIAN: Man, 25, in custody as police investigate ‘potential motivation linked to Islamist extremism’

The killing of the Conservative MP David Amess, who died after being stabbed several times at an open advice surgery for his constituents in Essex, has been declared as a terrorist incident.

The death of the 69-year-old veteran backbencher brought heartfelt tributes from all parties. Just five years after the murder of Jo Cox, it also prompted renewed worries about the security risks for MPs in an increasingly rancorous and polarised political era.

A 25-year-old man, believed to be a Briton with Somali heritage, is in custody and has been arrested on suspicion of murder. Sources have told the Guardian he has the same details as someone who had previously been referred to the Prevent scheme, the official programme for those thought at risk of radicalisation. » | Peter Walker, Vikram Dodd, Matthew Weaver and Dan Sabbagh | Saturday, October 16, 2021

Le meurtre du député britannique David Amess qualifié d'attaque terroriste »

OBITUARY: Sir David Amess »