Michael Lambert: How Farage and Others Deliberately Provoke Racial Tensions for Political Gain

Aug 10, 2024

Naturally, I was equally appalled by the violence and the dreadful rioting, but my opinions on the causes of the violence depart from Michael Lambert’s quite markedly.

Starmer’s conclusion that it was caused by “far-right thuggery” is but a part of the problem. If he sets his sights on trying to solve this problem by treating that as the only cause of the problem, I believe he will be greatly mistaken, and will fail. The causes of these violent protests go far, far deeper than that!

Farage, as much as I dislike the man, especially because he brought us Brexit, is right about the growth of Islam in this country.

I wrote a book more than twenty years ago about the dangers of the growth of Islam in this country. Although I wrote the book way over twenty years ago, I warned everyone I could at that time, pre-Internet, about the growth of Islam in this country coming up to about forty years ago! My experience of working in the Middle East alerted me to the dangers of Islam way back then. But in those days nobody wanted to know about the dangers that lay ahead, people were unaware of the dangers of Islam to the Western way of life. Generally, they knew nothing about Islam in those days, either. The fact of the matter is this: Islamic values and Western values are totally and utterly immiscible.

In my opinion, the growth of Islam in this country played no small part in causing those heinous riots. Add to that, we must remember that we have had nearly fifteen years of austerity under the Conservatives. People with few means have been hurting – and hurting badly, too.

Then there is the ever-widening gap in this country between the haves and have-nots. That certainly hasn’t helped the situation one little bit. And the more the gap will widen, the greater the danger of disturbances will get. A huge wealth gap between the rich and the poor is not conducive to societal cohesion.

The working-class people who rioted probably also had in their minds that so much money can be found to pay millions to house immigrants in hotels, yet the working class’s needs have been largely ignored.

I could write far, far more on this, but I shall leave it at that for now. I should add, however, that I am appalled and troubled by Starmer’s reactions to these riots. There is talk of his shutting up the people, especially online — with possible jail sentences for transgressors — and further, I have read that that there is a possible Islamophobia bill in the pipeline, too. If he passes such a stupid a bill, it will be the beginning of the end for this country. Censorship has always traditionally been the modus operandi of left-wing governments. Starmer’s left-wing government is clearly no exception to the rule. The UK is starting to resemble East Germany. It seems that Starmer is establishing his very own STASI! It is said that they have started keeping tabs on everybody now. Starmer was, after all, a public prosecutor. This development gives me a sense of foreboding about the direction this country is going under this authoritarian government. So just living in this country now makes me feel very uneasy. © Mark Alexander

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.

Starmer Will Be Judged on How He Tackles Root Causes of Riots

BBC: "This could have been so much worse,” a Downing Street adviser tells me. “People were trying to set fire to a hotel with people inside.”

But the prime minister, they insist, is “focussed” - and after a career spent largely in the criminal justice system “knows which levers to pull”.

Sir Keir Starmer was the chief prosecutor of England and Wales during the last major outbreak of civil unrest in the UK in 2011, overseeing the prosecution of thousands of people involved in five days of rioting.

Rapid and well-publicised action by the courts was key in bringing the unrest to an end, he said then. And this time ministers have emphasised “strong policing and swift prosecutions” to deter others joining the violence.

How best to get that message across to the public has been a regular discussion at emergency COBR (Cabinet Office Briefing Room) meetings.

Just as government scientists were front and centre in the pandemic, police chiefs and prosecutors have been wheeled out to land core messages with authority in this crisis.

Stephen Parkinson, the otherwise low-profile Director of Public Prosecutions, was put before the cameras. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley made regular appearances.

Yet the prime minister and his aides have pointedly avoided answering questions about the underlying causes of the riots. » | Joe Pike, Political correspondent | Sunday, August 11, 2024

Keir Starmer Confirms Online Safety Act Will Be Reviewed after Far-right Riots

THE GUARDIAN: Remarks follow concern about role of misinformation in unrest and come as people are jailed for inciting violence online

Online misinformation laws will be reviewed after a spreading of falsehoods contributed to this month’s far-right riots, Keir Starmer has said.

The prime minister said social media was “not a law-free zone” during a visit to a police station on Friday, hours before two men were jailed for encouraging people on social media to attack hotels housing asylum seekers.

Starmer was asked about the warning by the London mayor, Sadiq Khan, that the Online Safety Act was not fit for purpose and needed to be revisited.

Starmer told broadcasters: “I do agree that we’re going to have to look more broadly at social media after this disorder, but the focus at the moment has to be on dealing with the disorder and making sure that our communities are safe and secure.”

There have been calls for the Online Safety Act, which empowers the media regulator, Ofcom, to fine social media platforms that fail to tackle disinformation, to be enforced more quickly. (+ video) » | Eleni Courea and Mabel Banfield-Nwachi | Friday, August 9, 2024

The New DARK AGE of which I wrote so many years ago has well and truly DAWNED! Goodbye freedom of speech! Hello Mr Stasi! Perhaps those who rue the end of East Germany should think about coming to live in the UK. I think they might feel very much at home here. – © Mark Alexander

Complete Fake News BS!” Piers Morgan vs Andrew Tate on Riots

Aug 7, 2024 | This week, the UK has been gripped in the throes of violent riots; ignited by the murders of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance in Southport, Merseyside. In a matter of hours, disinformation about the suspect began to spread around social media, claiming the 17-year-old assailant was an illegal Muslim migrant; which turned out to be untrue. Andrew Tate in particular made these claims on his X account, leading MP Nigel Farage to push out these falsehoods as well. As a result, both mosques and Muslims themselves have been attacked.

Piers Morgan brings Andrew Tate onto Uncensored to take him to task over his part in the amplification of these falsehoods, and the latter furiously defends himself. A war of words ensues - but at the very least, Tate does call for an end to the rioting and violence.


Please be aware that this discussion contains some very strong language. It is therefore unsuitable for children. – Mark

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 Riots: Looters and Rioters Given 'Tough' Prison Sentences

Aug 7, 2024 | “They are trying to show these rioters that if you go out there, if you loot, if you steal, if you trash places, you will be jailed.” Rioters face “tough” sentences as the government tries to “restore the link between actions and consquences,” says The Times’s political editor Steven Swinford.

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

Keir Starmer Dodges Questions about Elon Musk's Bizarre Comments on UK Riots

Aug 7, 2024 | "Starmer might actually be being responsible in not responding to that and ignoring him for the loon he is." Keir Starmer dodged questions from reporters about Elon Musk's comments on X regarding widespread riots in the UK.

If this young lady seriously thinks that there are no indigenous Brits, she is truly and utterly delusional! She needs to wake up! The word 'naïve' doesn't even begin to describe her attitudes. No wonder this country is in the state it is! – © Mark Alexander

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".

UK Riots: 'The Next Eruption We See Will Be Bigger' | Tim Montgomerie

Aug 7, 2024 | “We have these people in Britain who have no real prospect of ever being an integrated part of our country.” ‘The next eruption we see will be bigger’ if we don’t help those who feel ‘disenfranchised’ and ‘disassociated’ from British society, says Conservative commentator, Tim Montgomerie.

WIKIPEDIA: Tim Montgomerie »

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.

Violent Rioting Continues in England and Northern Ireland | BBC News

Aug 6, 2024 | There has been more unrest in parts of the UK, with police coming under attack in cities such as Darlington and Plymouth.

Several vehicles and a pub were also damaged in Birmingham after false reports of a far-right march.

There has been violent disorder in towns and cities across the UK since last Tuesday, the day after three young girls were killed in Southport. The riots began after false claims on social media said someone who had arrived in the UK illegally was to blame for the attack.

Minority Communities Fearing for Their Lives as Riots Escalate

Aug 6, 2024 | The last week of violence and riots has taken a huge toll on minority communities, with many fearing for their lives and not wanting to leave their homes. In response to the riots that are happening across the country, barrister Sailesh Mehta says 'this is going to be a major test for the criminal justice system and the government.' Broadcast on 06/08/24

UK PM Starmer: 'Standing Army' Set to Be Deployed Against Far-right Rioters | DW News

Aug 5, 2024 | Police in Britain say they have arrested almost 400 people in connection with days of unrest aimed at migrants and the UK's Muslim community. On July 29th, a 17-year-old male killed three girls at a dance class in the city of Southport. Violence erupted soon after the killings. British police say online disinformation which falsely identified the 17-year-old as an asylum-seeker, played a part in fueling the riots. Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer has promised to bring the full force of the law to bear on people who took part in what he called an act of "far right thuggery." According to British media, the 17-year-old's parents are from Rwanda.

UK Riots: Elon Musk Claims 'Civil War' in the UK Is Inevitable

Aug 5, 2024 | Keir Starmer “condemns” Elon musk’s claims that the UK is on the brink of “civil war” insisting its a “minority of "thugs" that do not speak for Britain, says Times Radio’s Alicia Fitzgerald.

How Recent ‘Xenophobic’ Riots Compare to 2011 ‘Anti-police’ London Looting

Aug 5, 2024 | “There’s a common process here, which is people who get involved in these events think that other people support them.” Rioters “feel empowered” when they loot and cause violence because they “don’t feel alone” at a large demonstration, says social psychologist John Drury.

Both Islamophobia and Islamism are nonsense terms. A phobia is an irrational fear. There is nothing irrational about fearing Islam, a religion which has the goal of domination. And as for Islamism, there is no such thing. The concept of Islamism has been made up by Westerners to create a distance between Islam, the religion, and Islamism, or political Islam. Only someone who is totally ignorant of Islam would make such a distinction. The fact of the matter is this, and it is clear: Islam is political. Islam recognises no separation of mosque and state, no separation of the temporal from the spiritual. Truth to tell, an Islamist is a fully-practising Muslim. He is carrying out his faith as it is supposed to be carried out.

Here's the thing: Western values and Islamic values are totally and utterly immiscible. A state cannot successfully pursue policies of equal rights for all when Islam is in the mix. Does anyone seriously believe that Muslims will ever accept rights for gays? Or ever accept that women are equal to men?

Neither this government under Keir Starmer, nor any other government under some other leader, be he Labour or Conservative, is ever going to solve this problem — and it is truly a HUGE problem to solve — unless and until the facts mentioned above are fully understood. Government policies must be based on understanding the true nature of Islam.

My greatest fear is that these riots, in the long-run, will only get worse if PROPER SOLUTIONS to the problem are not found. Band aids just will not do. – © Mark Alexander

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’ »

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. »