UK Anti-Immigration Protests Surge: PM Starmer Warns “You Will Regret This”

London: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has issued a stern warning to far-right protesters amid the worst rioting in England in over a decade. The unrest, sparked by misinformation surrounding the murder of three children earlier this week, has led to violent clashes across several cities.

Escalating Violence

The rioting began after a mass stabbing in Southport, a seaside town in northwest England, and quickly spread throughout the country. In Rotherham, South Yorkshire, masked anti-immigration demonstrators attacked a hotel used to house asylum seekers. They smashed windows and pushed a burning bin into the building. Although ten officers were injured, local police confirmed that no hotel staff or guests were harmed.

In Middlesbrough, hundreds of protesters clashed with riot police, throwing bricks, cans, and other objects. Protesters also seized and damaged a camera belonging to an AFP crew, though the journalists were uninjured.

Government Response

Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the violence, labelling it “far-right thuggery” and promising to bring those responsible to justice. “I guarantee you will regret taking part in this disorder,” Starmer warned, addressing both direct participants and those inciting violence online. He underscored that there was “no justification” for the riots and reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing the situation.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who was informed of the growing unrest, is working with international allies to coordinate diplomatic responses and apply pressure on Iran and Hezbollah to prevent further escalation in the Middle East.

Impact and Protests

The rioting is the most severe England has seen since the summer of 2011, when unrest followed the police killing of a mixed-race man in north London. The current violence, fuelled by false rumours about the background of the stabbing suspect Axel Rudakubana, has targeted several mosques, prompting the UK interior ministry to offer emergency security to Islamic places of worship.

The far-right groups behind these protests, including the English Defence League, have used social media to mobilise support under the banner “Enough is enough.” Their demonstrations have featured English and British flags, alongside slogans such as “Stop the boats,” referring to irregular migrant crossings from France.

Counter-protests have also occurred, with anti-fascist groups organising rallies to oppose the far-right demonstrations. In Leeds, counter-protesters chanted, “Nazi scum off our streets,” while far-right protesters responded with “You’re not English any more.”

Political Reactions

Carla Denyer, co-leader of the Green Party, described the unrest as a “wake-up call” for politicians who have supported anti-immigration rhetoric. This sentiment was echoed by members of the Reform UK party, which saw a notable increase in support during last month’s elections.

Despite the widespread violence, not all gatherings have turned hostile. A peaceful demonstration in Aldershot saw participants holding placards with messages like “Stop the invasion” and “We’re not far right, we’re just right.”