Support truly
independent journalism
Support Now
Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.
Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.
Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.
Louise Thomas
Editor
Thousands of people have gathered at anti-racist rallies being held across the country for a ‘National Day of Protest’.
Campaign groupStand Up to Racismorganised up to 22 ‘Stop the Far Right’ demonstrations on Saturday, which took place in towns and cities, including London, Newcastle, Manchester and Birmingham.
In the capital, thousands of anti-racist protesters assembled outside Reform UK’s London office to accuse Nigel Farage of “inciting fascist rioters”, before marching on Whitehall in support of refugees.
It comes as Tory councillor’s wife Lucy Connolly was refused bail and will appear at Northampton Crown Court on Monday after she was charged with publishing written material to stir up racial hatred.
She is accused of encouraging social media users to “set fire to all the f****** hotels full of the b*******” after far-rightriots swept the country following a stabbing attack in Southport on 29 July.
On Saturday, a 42-year-old scaffolder admitted possessing a knuckle-duster during a demonstration in Southampton.
So far, 779 people have been arrested for offences ranging from violent disorder to theft over the far-right violence, of whom 349 have now been charged.
Recommended
- Michael Caine shares perfect two-word response to race riots
- Farage reaches out to Elon Musk as he rages about ‘open borders’ media conspiracy as approval ratings plummet
- Heartwarming moment pensioner stops rapper on street to check on him amid UK riots
- Tommy Robinson moans luxury Cyprus holiday ruined after stoking riots from abroad
- Pensioner tells police ‘I’m English’ during arrest for carrying weapon at Liverpool riot
Have you been affected by this? Email tara.cobham@independent.co.uk
The Tories’ response to the riots is exposing just how irrelevant they have become
How would the Conservatives have handled the violent disorder if Rishi Sunak had not called the election, and they were still in charge?
On tough policing and sentencing, I think they would have done the same as the Labour government. Instead of Keir Starmer’s useful unique selling point as a former director of public prosecutions, Sunak’s would have been as Britain’s first British Asian prime minister. Perhaps there might have been some Islamophobic noises made in a party which hasn’t eradicated it, but not from his government.
The words Sunak used to condemn the riots could have been uttered by Starmer, continuing the remarkable consensus between them on many issues since their bitter election clashes. Some senior Tories admit privately Starmer has handled his first crisis well and looked prime ministerial. Not the official line, of course.
Andrew Grice writes:
The riots are exposing just how irrelevant the Tories have become
The party seems to be in denial about its overwhelming defeat in July, writes Andrew Grice. If it continues on this path, it will remain in the political wilderness for many years to come
Tara Cobham10 August 2024 18:00
Another person charged over Southport and Liverpool disorder bringing total to 26
A 26th person has been charged in connection with disorder in Southport and Liverpool.
Oliver Maddocks, 21, from St Luke’s Road, Southport, was charged with violent disorder and burglary on July 30.
He has been remanded to appear at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court at 9.45am on Monday.
Tara Cobham10 August 2024 17:25
Up to 15,000 people take part in anti-racism rally in Belfast
Up to 15,000 people have taken part in an anti-racism rally in Belfast, following a week of rioting and disorder in the city.
Saturday’s protest started at Writer’s Square, where a huge crowd assembled, many holding placards with anti-racism and pro-migrant messages.
Organised by the United Against Racism group, the protesters made their way to City Hall in Belfast, chanting “When migrants’ rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back”.
Cate McCurry reports:
Up to 15,000 people take part in anti-racism rally in Belfast
Huge crowds assembled and chanted ‘When migrants’ rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back’.
Tara Cobham10 August 2024 17:24
Thousands of anti-racism protesters march on Whitehall in support of refugees
Thousands of anti-racism protesters have been marching on Whitehall in support of refugees.
The march, which assembled at 2.30pm outside Reform UK’s headquarters in Victoria, central London, was organised by Stand up to Racism.
Stewards from the group estimated that around 2,500 people turned out for the march.
Protesters chanted “refugees are welcome here” and listened to speeches outside the party’s headquarters before walking on Whitehall around 4pm.
Anti-racism protesters then gathered in Trafalgar Square to hear speeches.
Speakers condemned X boss Elon Musk and accused Reform UK Nigel Farage of “spreading racism”.
One speaker from Stand up to Racism, which organised the event, said: “After being outnumbered, we turned it around this week.”
Tara Cobham10 August 2024 17:22
More than 770 people now arrested and almost 350 charged over rioting, says NPCC
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said 779 people have now been arrested over rioting, of whom 349 were charged.
The NPCC said specialist officers have been tasked with pursuing suspected online offenders and so-called influencers, who they say are responsible for “spreading hate and inciting violence on a large scale”.
Across the country, teams are investigating “hundreds of leads”, as suspected rioters were continuing to appear in court on Saturday.
The NPCC’s serious and organised crime team is working with Counter Terrorism Policing and other national agencies to review content across a range of social media sites and platforms.
Online content will be assessed by a senior investigator to determine if it meets the criminal threshold and offenders will then be identified, arrested and charged.
Chief Constable Chris Haward, the NPCC lead for serious and organised crime, said inciting violence and encouraging mass disorder are “incredibly serious offences”.
He went on: “But this abhorrent activity didn’t happen by itself. Large crowds and gatherings didn’t mobilise spontaneously. It was the result of dozens of so-called influencers, exploiting the outpouring of grief from the tragic loss of three young girls in Southport. They knowingly spread misinformation, stoked the flames of hatred and division and incited violence from the comfort of their own homes, causing chaos on other people’s doorsteps.”
He said specialist officers are monitoring content and “working at pace” to identify offenders, adding: “Online crimes have real world consequences and you will be dealt with in the same way as those physically present and inflicting the violence.”
Tara Cobham10 August 2024 16:14
Watch: Starmer tells police ‘to remain on high alert’ ahead of expected riots over weekend
Tara Cobham10 August 2024 16:07
In pictures: Huge crowds protest outside Nigel Farage’s Reform UK office
Tara Cobham10 August 2024 15:53
Petrol bomb thrown at Co Down mosque as police investigate overnight attacks
A petrol bomb was thrown at a mosque in Co Down in the early hours of Saturday morning, in an incident described by police as racially motivated.
The mosque in Newtownards was attacked at around 1am, with graffiti sprayed on the front door and walls of the building on Greenwell Street.
Police said the petrol bomb thrown at the property did not ignite.
Chief Inspector Hutchinson said: “This is being treated as a racially motivated hate crime, and I want to send a strong message to those who carried this out, that this type of activity will not be tolerated and any reports of hate crime are taken very seriously.
“I am appealing to anyone with any information or footage that could assist with enquiries to come forward and help to identify those responsible and put them before the courts.”
Tara Cobham10 August 2024 15:26
Hundreds of protesters outside Reform UK office
Hundreds of anti-racist protesters have gathered outside Reform UK’s London office to accuse Nigel Farage of “inciting fascist rioters”.
Campaign groupStand up to Racismorganised the demonstration as dozens of other anti-racist rallies took place in towns and cities like Newcastle, Manchester and Birmingham.
Alexander Butler10 August 2024 14:54
Three people plead guilty to violent disorder
Three people have pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Manvers, Rotherham, on Sunday August 4, South Yorkshire Police (SYP) has said.
Kaine Hicks, 22, of Wombwell Road, Platts Common; Drew Jarvis, 19, of no fixed address; and a 17-year-old boy admitted the offence at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, the force said.
A SYP spokesperson said Hicks and Jarvis were remanded in custody and will be sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on Tuesday, while the teenager will be sentenced at the same court on August 20.
Alexander Butler10 August 2024 14:39
Newer
Older
