UK riots live news: Starmer urges police to maintain high alert as nearly 500 arrested over far-right disorder

Nigel Farage has reached out to billionaire X owner Elon Musk alleging a conspiracy between the government and media to support “open borders” as he doubles down on a key claim about the Southport stabbings.

The Reform UK leader posted a video directed at Musk, who has himself been behind a tirade of tweets attacking the UK, its government and prime minister Sir Keir Starmer over the handling of the far-right riots.

Musk has been supporting claims that there is a “two-tier” approach to Muslims and the white working class as well as calling the UK authorities “the woke stasi” over attempts to control incitement to hate and misinformation on social media.

Disgusted by the far-right violent disorder that has erupted in so many towns and cities, the great silent majority of the British people turned out in force to make their own protest – for decency, for tolerance, for respect and for the rule of law.

They did not feel the need to propel burning bins at the police, to attack asylum seekers, commit arson, loot shops, besiege places of worship or persecute their Muslim friends, colleagues and neighbours.

After days in which some of the worst of Britain was on shameful display has come a turning point – one where the law-abiding citizens of this country have decided that “enough is enough”.

Crowds gathered at the parliament buildings in Belfast today to oppose the rioting seen across the city in the past week.

Dozens of people showed their support for the Stand Against Racism Unite in Hope and held banners reading “refugees welcome” and “hate is never the answer”.

It comes as the Northern Ireland Assembly is recalled to discuss the recent violent disorder.

A 39-year-old from Lancashire has been arrested on suspicion of using social media to encourage others to take part in violent disorder, Merseyside Police said.

The man from Rufford, Ormskirk, was held on suspicion of encouraging or assisting the commission of an indictable offence, believing one or more will be committed. He was also arrested on suspicion of engaging in violent disorder himself in Southport on July 30.

Sadiq Khan has said he is not safe as an openly Muslim politician in the wake of the riots. The Mayor of London said he had “felt triggered” by the events of the last week and was heartbroken that his children’s generation had felt scared.

Asked whether he felt safe as a Muslim politician, Mr Khan said: “Clearly I’m not safe, which is why I’ve got police protection.”

“Like a lot of people of my generation, I felt triggered by the events of the last couple of weeks in particular,” he told The Guardian.

“It’s difficult to explain the ripples when you’ve been targeted because of your religion or colour of your skin and you can’t change either of those things. And whether you’re seeing physical acts of violence taking place in the North-West or the North-East, you feel it in London.

“What’s heartbreaking to me is my children’s generation had never experienced what I had. And they, for the first time, were scared. I thought I’d be the last generation to be scared, simply for who I am. And it breaks my heart.”

Disgusted by the far-right violent disorder that has erupted in so many towns and cities, the great silent majority of the British people turned out in force to make their own protest – for decency, for tolerance, for respect and for the rule of law.

They did not feel the need to propel burning bins at the police, to attack asylum seekers, commit arson, loot shops, besiege places of worship or persecute their Muslim friends, colleagues and neighbours.

After days in which some of the worst of Britain was on shameful display has come a turning point – one where the law-abiding citizens of this country have decided that “enough is enough”.

Around 25,000 people took to the streets of Britain on Wednesday night to defy the far-right and send a message that communities would not be divided by hate.

The night air fizzed with energy as anti-racist protesters chanted “we fight back”, “refugees are welcome here” and “oppose Islamophobia” across cities and towns in the UK.

Police had warned more than 100 demonstrations could take place after a week of violence from far-right hooligans who have attacked police, torched hotels, attacked ethnic minorities and subjected them to vile racist taunts.