Rioter who punched police officer in face in Southport jailed for three years
Josh Halliday
Josh Halliday, our North of England editor, reports on the court hearing this morning at Liverpool crown court:
The hearing at Liverpool crown court was told that an “unprecedented” 93 Merseyside police officers had been injured during the unrest over the past eight days, with more injuries being assessed daily.
In a statement read to court, the Merseyside police chief constable, Serena Kennedy, said officers had suffered a range of physical injuries – including a broken jaw and lost teeth – while some have been waking in the night with panic attacks.
Police had expressed “disbelief” that no officer had been killed in the unrest, Kennedy said, though many were left fearing whether they would “return home safely to their families”.
Derek Drummond, 58, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker. He has been jailed for three years, in the longest prison sentence so far over the far-right disorder in England and Northern Ireland.
Read more here: Rioter who punched police officer in face in Southport jailed for three years
Key events
My colleague Ben Quinn has put together this guide to several of the factions of the far-right operating in Britain.
Jenrick defends statement that arrests should be made over ‘Allahu Akbar’ shouts on street
Robert Jenrick, who has been criticised for his use of words earlier today, when he said “I thought it was quite wrong, that somebody could shout about Allahu Akbar out on the streets of London and not be immediately arrested”, has posted to social media to defend his use of language.
He has posted a video clip of an incident he claims to have been citing, adding:
“Allahu Akbar” is spoken peacefully and spiritually by millions of British Muslims in their daily lives. But the aggressive chanting below is intimidatory and threatening. And it’s an offence under section 4 and 5 of the Public Order Act. Extremists routinely abuse common expressions for their own shameful ends. All violence must end. All violence must be called out.
‘Allahu Akbar’ is spoken peacefully and spiritually by millions of British Muslims in their daily lives.
But the aggressive chanting below is intimidatory and threatening. And it’s an offence under Section 4 and 5 of the Public Order Act.
Extremists routinely abuse common… pic.twitter.com/XpLJ9OilyC
— Robert Jenrick (@RobertJenrick) August 7, 2024
Sayeeda Warsi has responded, repeated her earlier criticism of Jenrick. She said:
No Robert you do not get to go on national broadcasters and say one thing and try and pretend you said something else after! If you genuinely feel your comments on Sky News were inappropriate, offensive, incendiary and anti-Muslim (which they were) then start by apologising.
Then you can go back to pretending you are a responsible candidate for the leadership of our party. Not prepared to let you and other colleagues get away with this gaslighting and playing these games any more – too much damage has already been done to our country and it deserves better than this populist nonsense.
No Robert you do not get to go on national broadcasters and say one thing and try and pretend you said something else after!
If you genuinely feel your comments on @SkyNews were inappropriate, offensive, incendiary and anti Muslim ( which they were) then start by apologising… https://t.co/5fkF6HdMU2— Sayeeda Warsi (@SayeedaWarsi) August 7, 2024
Section 4 and 5 of the Public Order as referenced by Jenrick make no explicit mention in law to the words “Allahu Akbar”, but make it an offence to:
use towards another person threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or distribute or display to another person any writing, sign or other visible representation which is threatening, abusive or insulting, with intent to cause that person to believe that immediate unlawful violence will be used against him or another by any person.
or
use threatening words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour, or display any writing, sign or other visible representation which is threatening, within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress thereby.
Just Stop Oil have announced they are to pause their campaigning actions “whilst civil unrest is continuing to affect many towns and cities around the country”.
In a statement the group said:
We recognise that the violence on our streets is endangering communities, particularly those of Muslims and people of colour. In accordance with our commitment to nonviolence, we will not stretch police resources, such that they are unable to protect communities most at risk. Therefore, we are pausing our nonviolent resistance until the immediate threats to safety have been dealt with appropriately.
Jessica Elgot
Our deputy political editor Jessica Elgot has more on that criticism of Robert Jenrick’s comments that people shouting “Allahu Akbar” should be arrested:
Robert Jenrick, who is one of the favourites to win the Conservative leadership, was criticised by the Conservative peer Sayeeda Warsi and the Labour MP Naz Shah.
Warsi wrote on social media: “Every day before we start parliamentary business in the Commons and Lords we say a prayer and praise God – we say our parliamentary version of Allahu Akbars at the heart of democracy – a process Robert Jenrick is a part of. This language from Jenrick is more of his usual nasty divisive rhetoric – he is such a tool.”
Shah, the MP for Bradford West, said: “This is complete ignorance and textbook Islamophobia from Robert Jenrick. It literally equates every Muslim in the world with extremism … It’s a basic Islamic saying that every Muslim in the world says in prayer.
“ … Imagine in this climate, either being that ignorant or deliberately trying to stigmatise all Muslims. He should apologise and speak to Muslim communities and learn more about our faith.”
Another Labour MP Afzal Khan said: “Another day, another senior Tory being Islamophobic. Allahu Akbar means God is great – the Muslim equivalent of hallelujah. Jenrick’s confidence in going on national TV to say people should be arrested for saying Allahu Akbar exposes his deep-seated prejudice against Muslims.”
Read more from Jessica Elgot here: Robert Jenrick criticised for saying people shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ should be arrested
There has been considerable pushback on comments that Conservative leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick made earlier today, when he said “I thought it was quite wrong, that somebody could shout about Allahu Akbar out on the streets of London and not be immediately arrested.” [See 10.08 BST]
While the phrase has been associated with Islamic terrorism, it is also simply the phrase God is great in Arabic used in prayers. As ITV News political correspondent put it in a series of social media posts:
As members of the suspected far-right take to the streets, often going after Muslims and mosques, the man running to be the next leader of the Tory party goes on TV to say any Muslim who says God is great in Arabic in public should be arrested. Yes the phrase has been used by violent extremists. But it’s also used by literally every Muslim on Earth. Every Muslim says it every day when they pray.
As members of the suspected far right take to the streets, often going after Muslims and mosques, the man running to be the next leader of the Tory Party goes on TV to say any Muslim who says God is great in Arabic in public should be arrested https://t.co/ss2PzEhnXQ
— Shehab Khan ITV (@ShehabKhan) August 7, 2024
There has also been criticism not just of Jenrick’s comment, but that they went unremarked upon by the Sky News presenter conducting the interview. Apsana Begum, MP for Poplar and Limehouse, presently suspended from ther Labour whip after voting for an SNP amendment during the king’s speech debate in parliament, posted to social media to say “Islamophobia and racism is so entrenched, it goes unchallenged.”
Tracy Brabin has joined other elected mayors in England in calling for an end to violent far-right riots. In a statement, the West Yorkshire mayor said:
Racism and Islamophobia should never be mistaken for patriotism. West Yorkshire is a proud region that is built on the values of tolerance, fairness and hard work.
Our priority now is to protect our communities from this insidious violence and reject those who seek to divide us.
We are working with West Yorkshire police on this, who have my steadfast support to deliver swift and robust justice.
Every child growing up in our region deserves the chance to feel safe and secure. And that absolutely includes those who have had to flee famine or war to come here. It is appalling to hear how some people are afraid to walk the streets, due to being singled out for their faith or colour of their skin.
We must now come together to heal and begin the urgent task of repairing the fabric of our nation.
In a statement expressing similar sentiment, Kim McGuinness, mayor of the North East, said:
Our North East is accepting, kind and proud – the appalling behaviour of a violent minority seen in the last few days will never represent us.
I am aware of reports that far-right groups may further target our communities today and throughout this week. My message to them is simple – do not. These are not protests, they are not peaceful. You are not welcome.
The targeting of Muslim and minority communities is disgraceful. But in the North East we look after our neighbours and racism and prejudice will not be tolerated. If you choose to take part in violent disorder in our region there will be severe consequences.
As your mayor, I have been in contact with Downing Street and the police about the national and regional response and in recent days, alongside council colleagues we’ve met with community and faith leaders and businesses in our region and will continue to do so in the coming days to provide reassurance that their concerns are being heard.
What we have seen in our streets already has left many feeling scared, angry and upset. Right now I call for people not to act on those feelings negatively but to do so in peace and with kindness to all our communities firm in the knowledge that those taking part in this targeted, right wing violence and thuggery will face the full force of the law.
PA has reported that after the sentencing of Declan Geiran, who was jailed after setting a police van alight, assistant chief constable Paul White of Merseyside police said that “in this case and others, officers have acted swiftly to detain an offender, the Crown Prosecution Service have rapidly approved charges and the courts have moved very quickly to secure a sentencing”.
He added:
Just four days after trying to burn a police van, Geiran has been driven in the back of a prison van to serve a 30-month term in jail.
The message is clear: if you get involved in disorder, don’t count on ending the week at home with your family.
Vikram Dodd
Over 100 far-right led gatherings expected today, higher than previously thought, and across most of the country, police today said.
41 of the 43 local police force areas in England and Wales are bracing for potential violence.
Police assess the threat of further gatherings on Wednesday as “credible”, a police source said. They accept some events may not happen, but they are bracing themselves for the worst evening of trouble since the disorder started last week.
The targets are largely connected to asylum and immigration.
A police source said that so far up to 30 counter-protests are expected, and since the weekend there has effectively been a “national mobilisation”.
Today 200 riot officers from the Metropolitan police in London are going to reinforce Greater Manchester police.
Riot officers from south east of England are going to the north-east.
The police source, who is authorised to speak to reporters, said the worst disorder is expected in the north-east and north-west of England.
About 6,000 riot trained officers will be on duty, some deployed at known so called protests, others ready to reinforce colleagues if they fear being overwhelmed.
Some asylum seeker accommodation where there is a credible threat will be guarded.
On Sunday in Rotherham there was an attempt to set fire to a hotel with over 200 asylum seekers, who were inside at the time, with a crowd of 700 people outside.
In total so far 428 arrests have been made after disorder and riots that started last Tuesday, and that number is expected to increase, police said.
120 people have been charged and that number is expected to increase.
The police source said they are going after “keyboard warriors” such as Tommy Robinson, and others, who may be inciting violence, as well as those on the other side.
The police source said: “Cases are being built, intelligence is being built”.
A man has pleaded guilty to inciting racial hatred by using racist language on a live stream he broadcasted to “millions of people” from outside a hotel in Stockport thought to contain asylum seekers, PA reported.
Aaron Johnson, 32, pleaded guilty at Manchester magistrates court on Wednesday to distributing images intended to stir up racial hatred.
Summary of the day so far …
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Police says they are prepared for planned unrest by “hateful and divisive groups” as they monitor reports of at least 30 possible gatherings and threats against immigration law specialists
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Jim McMahon, minister of state for housing, communities and local government, has said that the vast majority of Britons will be going about their everyday life today, but that “there are a tiny minority of people who don’t want it to be a normal day”
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London mayor Sadiq Khan called on people in the city to “check on their friends and neighbours and show them that care and compassion is what Londoners are all about”, adding that he was in constant touch with the police amid reports of several areas in London being the potential targets of far-right attacks. Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner amplified his message, saying “Mayors across the country are bringing people together in unity to condemn hatred, violence and vandalism”
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Courts have continued processing cases arising from the violent disorder, with a rioter who punched a police officer in the face during violent unrest in Southport jailed for three years
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A man has been charged with possessing an offensive weapon after TV coverage appeared to show someone holding a sword at a gathering in Birmingham. Two men have been charged after violent disorder in Darlington on Monday evening, Durham police said. Six people have been charged with violent disorder in Plymouth on Monday night
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Earlier, Conservative shadow policing minister Matt Vickers, and Conservative leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick both made criticisms of Keir Starmer. Jenrick said the prime minister “has made a mistake in that he has not shown equal treatment to all forms of violence perpetrated by whoever it is, wherever it is in the country”. Vickers said
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Jenrick has said he does not regret previously accusing police in England and Wales of adopting “two-tier policing” earlier this year, nor does he regret saying in parliament in February of this year that “we have allowed our streets to be dominated by Islamist extremists”
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Former chief inspector of constabulary Sir Thomas Winsor has criticised politicians for talking about two-tier policing, saying it deliberately “increases a perception of unfairness”
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The former first minister of Scotland, Humza Yousaf, has said that the racist and Islamophobic of recent days have made him question whether it is safe for his family to remain in the UK
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Police Scotland has issued a statement addressing rumours of a far-right gathering in Glasgow’s George Square today after online speculation led to some local businesses advising staff to stay at home
Rioter who punched police officer in face in Southport jailed for three years
Josh Halliday
Josh Halliday, our North of England editor, reports on the court hearing this morning at Liverpool crown court:
The hearing at Liverpool crown court was told that an “unprecedented” 93 Merseyside police officers had been injured during the unrest over the past eight days, with more injuries being assessed daily.
In a statement read to court, the Merseyside police chief constable, Serena Kennedy, said officers had suffered a range of physical injuries – including a broken jaw and lost teeth – while some have been waking in the night with panic attacks.
Police had expressed “disbelief” that no officer had been killed in the unrest, Kennedy said, though many were left fearing whether they would “return home safely to their families”.
Derek Drummond, 58, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker. He has been jailed for three years, in the longest prison sentence so far over the far-right disorder in England and Northern Ireland.
Read more here: Rioter who punched police officer in face in Southport jailed for three years
The Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, Siân Berry, has voiced her support for the local Muslim community after local media reported that a mosque in Peacehaven had been targeted over the weekend with eggs thrown at the building. It was the second reported attack on a mosque in the area within days.
In a post on social media, Berry said:
Peacehaven is part of our Brighton and Hove community, and this attack is going to make many people fearful across our city. I stand in solidarity with Muslims, refugees and people of colour in our city – there is no place for Islamophobia, racism or white supremacy here.
Peacehaven is part of our Brighton and Hove community, and this attack is going to make many people fearful across our city.
I stand in solidarity with muslims, refugees and people of colour in our city – there is no place for islamophobia, racism or white supremacy here. https://t.co/WJL40pqCA5
— Sian Berry (@sianberry) August 7, 2024
Anti-racism activists in Brighton are planning a demonstration tonight, with local Stand Up To Racism organiser Christian Hogsbjerg telling Brighton and Hove news:
The tragedy in Southport deserves our unity, not division and hatred. We can’t let the far right spread racist lies, targeting Muslims and refugees. They have called a protest outside an immigration solicitors office in Brighton to try and target those supporting refugees and migrants. Join us to show we won’t let division and hatred win here.
The University of Sussex has emailed students warning them to “be sensitive to possible areas where trouble may be likely.”