Tory leadership candidate Priti Patel has hit out at the police response to a gathering in Birmingham yesterday where trouble brewed outside a pub.
Gangs of men in balaclavas turned out in the second city with some sporting Palestinian flags after rumours circulated that anti-immigration protesters were set to target a mosque.
It has sparked fury after days of riots in Britain where hundreds of those carrying out acts of violence have been arrested.
Speaking on GB News, Patel questioned where the police were during this particular incident amid claims of two-tier policing.
Priti Patel questioned where the police were during last night’s disorder
GB NEWS
“What we saw last night was outrageous and unacceptable”, she said.
“That was criminality and violence. But where were the police? I don’t know the full facts so I don’t want to go into speculation.
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“Again, in the absence of facts, the Government needs to be answering these questions in Parliament.
“The only mechanism we have to hold the Home Secretary to account is through Parliament.”
Riots were sparked last week when a crazed knife attacker killed three girls in Southport as they attended a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.
Chaos has spiralled and spread to other parts of the country prompting calls for Parliament to be recalled.
Rioters in MiddlesbroughPA
Patel, who is one of the Tory candidates for the leadership, is among the voices calling for MPs to make their way back to Westminster during a fraught period for the country.
“I have called for this. It’s summer recess right now and I absolutely believe we have to be holding the Government to account on a whole raft of issues, like the policing”, she said.
“During my time as Home Secretary, we had the pandemic and BLM (Black Lives Matter) protests, this is a difficult time for the current Home Secretary.
“She needs to be asked directly what discussions she has been having with the police.
Priti Patel joined Patrick Christys on GB News
GB NEWS
“In terms of what I would have done differently, I would have spoken to every chief constable across the country and holding calls with them to find out about the planning to ensure they are being planned properly.”
The Government has pledged additional resources for police forces to help deal with the unrest, with the Home Secretary saying funding will not be a barrier to a strong police response.
Yvette Cooper said: “The police have my unwavering commitment to ensure they have everything they need to mobilise a strong frontline response across the country to put a stop to the appalling displays of violence and criminal damage we have seen in some of our towns and cities.”
Cooper added: “Criminals should expect to pay the price for violent thuggery and disorder on our streets. Keyboard warriors also cannot hide, as criminal organisation and incitement online will be liable for prosecution and strong penalties too.“
More than 400 people have now been arrested in the wake of disorder around the country, according to police sources, with the number expected to continue to rise in the coming days.
Around 100 people have been charged, with some already pleading guilty in court appearances on Tuesday.