UK government promises ‘consequences’ for far-right protesters

LONDON – The UK government warned on Sunday that violent disorder “would not be tolerated” after police made dozens of arrests at far-right protests following clashes between demonstrators and officers.

Unrest linked to misinformation about a mass stabbing that killed three girls last week spread to several cities on Saturday as anti-immigration protesters clashed with counterprotesters.

Around 90 people were arrested after clashes took place in several English cities, including Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol, Blackpool and Hull, as well as Belfast in Northern Ireland.

In some cases, protesters threw bricks, bottles and flares at police, injuring several officers, looted and set fire to bullets, while protesters were also heard shouting anti-Islamic insults.

Government police minister Diana Johnson told BBC News that rioting would “not be tolerated” and there would be “penalties and consequences” for disorder.

The clashes marked a fourth day of unrest in several cities following Monday’s frenzied knife attack in Southport, near Liverpool on England’s northwest coast.

They were fueled by false social media rumors about the background of 17-year-old British suspect Axel Rudakubana, who has been charged with multiple counts of murder and attempted murder over the attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance party.

Rudakubana is accused of killing Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, and injuring 10 others.

Police blamed the violence on fans and associated organisations of the English Defence League, a 15-year-old anti-Islam organisation whose supporters have been linked to football hooliganism.

Rioters attacked mosques in Southport and the north-east English city of Sunderland, prompting hundreds of Islamic centres to beef up security amid fears for the safety of their worshippers.

The violence is the biggest test yet of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s short tenure. He came to power early last month after leading Labour to a landslide victory over the Conservatives.

He accused “thugs” of “hijacking” the nation’s pain to “sow hatred” and vowed that anyone found guilty of violent acts would “face the full force of the law.”

After talks with senior ministers on Saturday, he “reiterated that the government supports the police in taking all necessary measures to keep our streets safe”, a statement from his office said.

Police warned of more demonstrations on Sunday.