Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has launched a furious attack against summer rioters by labelling the spate of incidents as “arson, racism and thuggery”.
Unrest was sparked across England and Northern Ireland following a series of unfounded rumours about the perpetrator behind the tragic stabbing of three children in Southport.
Speaking at the ACC in Liverpool, Cooper said: “Don’t anyone tell me that was protest, don’t anyone tell me that was about immigration or policing or poverty.
“Plenty of people have strong views on immigration, on crime, on the NHS and more but they don’t pick up bricks and throw them at the police.
‘It was arson, racism, it was thuggery!’ Yvette Cooper in furious attack on summer rioters – ‘Don’t tell me that was protest’GB NEWS“They don’t set fire to buildings with people inside. It was arson, it was racism, it was thuggery, it was crime.”
Around 29 anti-immigration demonstrations and riots took place across 27 towns and cities in the UK.
Unrest included attacks against local mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council confirmed 1,280 people had been arrested for their involvement, with 796 charged.
Riots broke out in the UK earlier this year Getty Earlier this month, the Government confirmed 570 people had been brought before the courts.
Following Labour’s clampdown, Nigel Farage voiced concern about so-called “two-tier policing”.
In a question to Sir Keir Starmer at Prime Minister’s Questions, the Reform UK leader asked: “Yesterday we witnessed some extraordinary celebratory scenes outside Britain’s prisons, where in some cases serious career criminals were released.
“This to make way for, yes, rioters, but equally those who have said unpleasant things on Facebook and elsewhere on social media.
“Does the Prime Minister understand there is a growing feeling of anger in this country that we are living through two-tier policing and a two-tier justice system?”
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper
PA
Cooper also used her speech to slam the Tories and Reform UK for becoming “right-wing wreckers”, arguing: “They have nothing to offer but fear, division and anger.”
Cooper, who represents a seat where 10,459 people voted for Reform UK, added: “That’s not who we are, that’s not what Britain is about.
“Our country has always championed respect and the rule of law and that’s what this Labour Party will always stand up for.
“The party of law and order, now a Government of law and order once more.”