Counter protest rallies across the UK have led to a surge in far-right violence, prompting the prime minister to warn of possible further unrest during a Cobra meeting. The National Police Chief’s Council reported 20 riot-related events and three counter-gatherings planned for the day, with thousands of officers on standby. In response to the violent disorder, two rioters involved in far-right violence on Merseyside were sentenced to two years and eight months in prison. Additionally, a website accused of fueling racist riots by spreading false information about the Southport knife attack suspect denied any affiliation with Russia. The ongoing riots have sparked a response from public figures like Sir Michael Caine, who issued a two-word response to the race riots, and Nigel Farage, who reached out to Elon Musk alleging a media conspiracy supporting “open borders.” The British people have also made their voices heard, denouncing racism and violence while standing up for decency, tolerance, and the rule of law.
UK riots today: Nearly 500 arrested over far-right disorder as Starmer urges police to maintain high alert
Counter protest rallies across the UK
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Police must remain on high alert in preparation for possible further unrest across the country, the prime minister is understood to have warned during a Cobra meeting on Thursday.
Speaking at his third emergency cabinet meeting since far-right violence began sweeping Britain last week, Sir Keir Starmer praised police and the quick sentencing of thugs involved in the rioting.
It comes after the National Police Chief’s Council said 20 riot-related events and three counter-gatherings were planned for today, with thousands of officers still on standby.
So far, 483 people have been arrested in relation to violent disorder across Britain following the stabbing of three young girls in Southport last Monday.
Two rioters who were “at the forefront” of violent far-right disorder on Merseyside have been jailed over their “disgraceful” actions.
John O’Malley, 43, and William Morgan, 69, were both handed a sentence of two years and eight months at Liverpool Crown Court after admitting to violent disorder last Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Metropolitan Police chief Sir Mark Rowley joined his officers at dawn for raids to arrest rioting “thugs” following the anti-racism protests on Wednesday.
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Key Points
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Website accused of helping to fuel riots with Southport misinformation denies being affiliated to Russia
A website accused of helping to fuel racist riots in the UK by publishing false information about the identity of the Southport knife attack suspect has denied being affiliated with Russia.
According to Marc Owen Jones, a disinformation researcher associate professor at Doha’s Hamid bin Khalifa University, there were at least 27 million impressions on social media posts as of last Tuesday stating or speculating that Monday’s attacker was Muslim, a migrant, refugee or foreigner.
One such website which falsely named the suspect and claimed he was an asylum-seeker who arrived across the Channel in 2023 and was known to MI6 and local mental health services, was an outlet named Channel3 Now.
An individual who named himself as Kevin and claimed to be “management” at the website, and who replied to its official email address, has now told BBC News that the publication of the false name “shouldn’t have happened, but it was an error, not intentional”.
They confirmed that the site previously purchased a Russian-language YouTube channel which focused on car rallies “many years ago” and later changed its name.
“Just because we purchased a YouTube channel from a Russian seller doesn’t mean we have any affiliations,” Kevin told the BBC. “We are an independent digital news media website covering news from around the world.”
Andy Gregory9 August 2024 07:26
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Sir Michael Caine shares blunt two-word response to race riots
Sir Michael Caine has issued the perfect two-word response to the ongoing race riots in Britain.
Over the past fortnight, violent disorder has spread across the country in the wake of the stabbings of three young children in Southport after misinformation spread that the killer was a Muslim asylum seeker.
Thousands of police officers have been deployed to prepare for further action after racist and Islamophobic attacks have led to stabbings, street beatings, and mosques under siege.
Alexander Butler9 August 2024 07:00
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Views: Not all Muslims are terrorists – but you wouldn’t know that from watching TV
In 2021, I was appointed the chair of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), arguably Britain’s – and possibly the world’s – most prestigious drama school.
For the last three years, I have greeted the new influx of first year students with the following words: “Drama is essential to democracy and a well functioning society. What you learn here will shape and change the world.”
I admit it is a bit grandiose – and I know some of the students think I am leaning towards hyperbole – but I think the riots currently sweeping across the UK prove my point.
Marcus Ryder9 August 2024 06:00
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Letters: The best way to deal with Elon Musk? Ignore him
Alexander Butler9 August 2024 05:00
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Farage reaches out to Elon Musk as he rages about ‘open borders’ media conspiracy
Nigel Farage has reached out to billionaire X owner Elon Musk alleging a conspiracy between the government and media to support “open borders” as he doubles down on a key claim about the Southport stabbings.
The Reform UK leader posted a video directed at Musk, who has himself been behind a tirade of tweets attacking the UK, its government and prime minister Sir Keir Starmer over the handling of the far-right riots.
Musk has been supporting claims that there is a “two-tier” approach to Muslims and the white working class as well as calling the UK authorities “the woke stasi” over attempts to control incitement to hate and misinformation on social media.
Alexander Butler9 August 2024 04:00
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Editorial: The British people have spoken – racism has no place here
Disgusted by the far-right violent disorder that has erupted in so many towns and cities, the great silent majority of the British people turned out in force to make their own protest – for decency, for tolerance, for respect and for the rule of law.
They did not feel the need to propel burning bins at the police, to attack asylum seekers, commit arson, loot shops, besiege places of worship or persecute their Muslim friends, colleagues and neighbours.
After days in which some of the worst of Britain was on shameful display has come a turning point – one where the law-abiding citizens of this country have decided that “enough is enough”.
Alexander Butler9 August 2024 03:00
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Watch: Pensioner tells police ‘I’m English’ during arrest for carrying weapon at Liverpool riot
Pensioner tells police ‘I’m English’ during arrest for carrying weapon at Liverpool riot
Alexander Butler9 August 2024 02:00
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Watch: Heartwarming moment pensioner stops rapper on street to check on him amid UK riots
Pensioner stops man on street amid UK riots with heartwarming message
Alexander Butler9 August 2024 01:00
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‘Refugees welcome’: Dozens attend anti-racism rally at Stormont
Crowds gathered at the parliament buildings in Belfast today to oppose the rioting seen across the city in the past week.
Dozens of people showed their support for the Stand Against Racism Unite in Hope and held banners reading “refugees welcome” and “hate is never the answer”.
It comes as the Northern Ireland Assembly is recalled to discuss the recent violent disorder.
A woman holds a ‘Refugees welcome’ placard at a demonstration outside Northern Ireland’s parliament (Mark Marlow/PA Wire)
Alexander Butler8 August 2024 23:46
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Lancashire man arrested on suspicion of using social media to encourage violent disorder
A 39-year-old from Lancashire has been arrested on suspicion of using social media to encourage others to take part in violent disorder, Merseyside Police said.
The man from Rufford, Ormskirk, was held on suspicion of encouraging or assisting the commission of an indictable offence, believing one or more will be committed. He was also arrested on suspicion of engaging in violent disorder himself in Southport on July 30.
Alexander Butler8 August 2024 23:41
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https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/riots-uk-protests-today-london-liverpool-arrests-starmer-b2593699.html