Political writer Connor Tomlinson was embroiled in a feisty clash on GB News with former Labour adviser Sion Simon, who claimed his debating partner had an “agenda”.
The pair were discussing the riots gripping Britain in the wake of a crazed stabbing attack in Southport last week that led to the deaths of three girls.
Speaking on GB News, Tomlinson demanded Keir Starmer condemns counter protesters who brandished machetes in the same way he has hit out at “far-right” anti-immigration activists.
But Simon was of the view that there is no such thing as two-tier policing in British society.
Connor Tomlinson clashed with Sion Simon
GB NEWS
“We just saw footage of these people assaulting a car and a pub. Why are you not admitting this has happened?”, he asked.
Simon responded: “The level of criminality that has gone on this week. The question is, which side are you here?
“You are on the side of the football, criminal hooligans. You are trying to make the argument that a few Muslims on the roundabout there amounts to the same thing.”
Tomlinson hit back, saying he has “no problem” condemning the “thugs” that have vandalised property in the past week, but feels the same treatment should be afforded to the counter protests.
“You’re not on the side of police, you’re not on the side of Britain, you’re not on the side of the law”, Simon asserted.
“You’re only on the side of football hooligans trying to destroy.”
The matter was discussed on Dewbs & Co
GB NEWS
Tomlinson snapped: “My concern is, as it was not in Harehills, Leeds, as it was not in the Manchester Airport incident, they are afraid of applying the law to certain, protected groups.”
Simon insisted no one in the ruling class is “afraid” of applying the law, before accusing Tomlinson of having an agenda.
The Prime Minister will chair another Cobra meeting on Tuesday evening as police across the country brace for an eighth night of violence.
The meeting of the Government’s emergency response committee is the second in two days as officers anticipate further disorder across Tuesday night and Wednesday.
Rioters in MiddlesbroughPAConcerns have also been raised that immigration law specialists could be at risk after a list of solicitors’ firms and advice agencies was shared in chat groups as targets for gatherings in the coming days.
Approximately 6,000 specialist officers will be at the ready by the end of the week for the so-called “standing army” of police announced by Sir Keir on Monday to deal with disorder.
But shadow home secretary James Cleverly has criticised the plans, and posed a series of questions to the Government.
Writing on X, formerly Twitter, he said: “Police forces across the UK have officers who are public order trained, but when not dealing with disorder they have other police duties.
“Will this ‘standing army’ of officers have no other duties? If so, what will they do when there are no riots? Or is Starmer expecting permanent riots?”