Counter protesters in Walthamstow chant ahead of an anti-immigration protest. Two rioters, John O’Malley, 43, and William Morgan, 69, have been jailed for two years and eight months at Liverpool Crown Court after admitting to violent disorder. Judge Andrew Menary KC condemned their “awful behavior” at riots in Southport and Liverpool. Metropolitan Police chief Sir Mark Rowley joined his officers at dawn for raids to arrest rioting “thugs” following anti-racism protests, with fears of extreme-right disorder being headed off in the capital thanks to a show of unity from communities. Thousands of counter-protesters took to the streets of England in defiance of far-right violence, but fears remain of more disorder over the weekend with far-right protests planned in various cities. Sir Keir Starmer is set to summon law enforcement officers to discuss the aftermath of the riots in a Cobra meeting.
UK riots live news: Man ‘at heart’ of Southport violence jailed on camera as police snare suspects in London dawn raids
Counter protesters in Walthamstow chant ahead of an anti-immigration protest
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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, have both been handed a sentence of two years and eight months at Liverpool Crown Court after admitting to violent disorder last Tuesday.
Judge Andrew Menary KC condemned the men’s “awful behaviour” at riots in Southport and Liverpool.
It comes as the Metropolitan Police chief Sir Mark Rowley joined his officers at dawn for raids to arrest rioting “thugs” following the anti-racism protests on Wednesday.
He said the “fears of extreme-right disorder” were headed off in the capital thanks to a “show of unity from communities”.
Thousands of counter-protesters took to the streets of England on Wednesday in defiance of far-right violence that has swept the country over the last week.
But fears remain of more disorder over the weekend with far-right protests planned in Newcastle, Liverpool, Salford, Taunton, Birmingham, Dover, Bournemouth and Glasgow.
Sir Keir Starmer is set to summon law enforcement officers to discuss the aftermath of the riots in a Cobra meeting.
Have you been affected by this? Email barney.davis.ind@independent.co
Key Points
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Pictured: Two rioters jailed for over two and half years each
John O’Malley, 43, of Cambridge Gardens, Southport, and William Morgan, 69, of Linton Street, Walton, were today sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court to two years and eight months in jail after admitting violent disorder in Southport on Tuesday (Merseyside Police/PA)
Salma Ouaguira8 August 2024 13:05
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Far-right rioter jailed for 32 months for Islamophobic chants
A “thug” who was seen kicking another man during protests in Plymouth has been jailed for 32 months.
Michael Williams, 51, of Sparkwell, Devon, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a charge of violent disorder relating to Monday’s incident.
Judge Robert Linford, sentencing Mr Williams and a second defendant at Plymouth Crown Court on Thursday, said that “thugs like you… ran amok”.
He said Mr Williams was “seen to be fighting and kicking another male” and when he was arrested he was found with a stone in his jogging bottoms.
The judge dismissed as “ludicrous” Mr Williams’s claim that it was a “healing stone”.
In video footage played to the court, he chanted “Allah, Allah, who the f*** is Allah” after his arrest, and repeatedly swore at police.
Lawyer Edward Bailey said that the defendant “didn’t set out on this particular evening with the intention of violence” and “had been drinking earlier that day”.
Salma Ouaguira8 August 2024 12:59
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Couple who went to bingo then joined riot jailed for two years
A couple who joined the riots in Hartlepool after an afternoon bingo session have been jailed for two years and two months each.
Steven Mailen, 54, and his partner Ryan Sheers, 29, pleaded guilty to violent disorder after taking part in a 200 people gathering on 31 July.
Sentencing, the judge said the pair were “at the very forefront of the mob” and tried to push through a police cordon.
Former postmaster and school governor Mr Mailen was “one of the main instigators” of the far-right riots.
The court also heard how former McDonald’s worker Ms Sheers was bitten on the hip by a police dog during the incident.
Salma Ouaguira8 August 2024 12:50
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Northern Ireland to issue ‘joint and robust’ response to violence disorder
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said there will be a “joint and robust” response to any violence and disorder in Northern Ireland.
Speaking after the Stormont Executive met, she said: “Today, we are collectively sending a strong and united message against violence, disorder and racism.
“We’ve been engaging throughout the week with the chief constable (Jon Boutcher) with agencies and we will continue to do so.
“Make no mistake, there will be a joint and robust response to any continued disorder.
“Violence is wrong. Disorder is not acceptable. Concerns must always be addressed through democratic processes. We must do everything we have to de-escalate the current situation, and we urge all to work to achieve that.
“We’ve reached out to those who have been affected by the attacks and violence and offering our full support.”
(left to right) First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle O’Neill, PSNI Chief constable Jon Boucher, Deputy First Minister Emma little-Pengelly and Alliance Party leader Naomi Long speaking to the media at Stormont Castle, Belfast, where executive ministers met to discuss recent scenes of violent disorder on the streets of Belfast (Mark Marlow/PA Wire)
Salma Ouaguira8 August 2024 12:44
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Watch live: Stormont recalled after far-right rioting in Belfast
Salma Ouaguira8 August 2024 12:43
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Three people arrested during Kent protests but no serious disorder
Three arrests were made during gatherings in Kent on Wednesday evening but there were no injuries or serious disorder, the force has said.
A Kent Police spokesman said a number of people with opposing views attended a location on Maidstone Road in Chatham where two people were arrested on suspicion of public order offences.
“One was alleged to have shouted racial abuse and another made homophobic comments to a police officer,” the spokesman added.
“No serious disorder was reported and there were no injuries.
“There was also no violence or disorder reported anywhere else in the county, however, one man was arrested at a small gathering in Saxon Street, Dover, for common assault and causing criminal damage to a mobile phone.”
Salma Ouaguira8 August 2024 12:42
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Anti-racism campaigners warn still chance of far-right outbreaks
Director of Campaigns at HOPE not hate has hailed the positive response from local communities in London and across the country following days of violent disruption from far-right groups.
But Georgie Laming warned already “hutting” communities could still be target of potential outbreaks in the next days.
He said: “From free ice-creams outside a local mosque in Lincoln, to streets lined with anti-fascists in Walthamstow, communities responded bravely to a challenging night of threats of far-right demonstrations up and down the country
“But we must not be complacent. There are communities where the far right have been able to turn out hundreds of people over the last week and those communities are hurting.
“The real work of building up hope and meaningful action is those communities starts right now.
“There is still a large number of far-right events being discussed for this weekend and still high chances of spontaneous outbreaks so we must remember that this moment is far from over.”
Salma Ouaguira8 August 2024 12:38
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Comment | We’ve spent 25 years studying the far right – here’s how we deal with them
It has also recently been reported that in Belfast – one of a dozen affected cities – a “member of the public” had attackers “stamp on his head” as members of the public attempted to shield him from further attack.
A shellshocked country rightly asks what’s next.
In this piece, Prof Matthew Feldman and Dr David Tucker lay out the best possible responses to the disorder.
Read the full article here:
Salma Ouaguira8 August 2024 12:37
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Watch: Moment Liverpool rioters sentenced to lengthy prison term after violent unrest following Southport stabbings
Moment Liverpool rioters sentenced after unrest following Southport stabbings
Two rioters were jailed on Thursday, 8 August, for their part in violent disorder in Merseyside following the Southport stabbings. John O’Malley, 43, of Cambridge Gardens, Southport, and William Nelson Morgan, 69, of Linton Street, Walton, were sentenced to two years and eight months for violent disorder and two years and eight months after for violent disorder and possessing an offensive weapon respectively at Liverpool Crown Court. Addressing the pensioner, Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC said: “Your advancing years plainly did not prevent you from playing an active part in a disturbance on County Road.”
Salma Ouaguira8 August 2024 12:30
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Poll: Farage’s favourability ratings down over the last week
Nigel Farage’s ratings have fallen since last week, with the Reform UK leader experiencing a seven point decline in his net favourability score.
According to a YouGov poll, only 25 per cent of people have a positive view of the right-wing leader, which down two points, while 67 per cent have an unfavourable view, up by five points.
Mr Farage now holds a negative rating among every group of voters.
The result includes Leave voters for the first time, with Farage now scoring -4 among those who cast their ballot in favour of Brexit, which is down from seven points from last week.
(PA Wire)
Salma Ouaguira8 August 2024 12:29
Read the full story on www.independent.co.uk
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/riots-protests-uk-today-list-london-brighton-birmingham-liverpool-b2593045.html