There were chants of “Oh Tommy, Tommy” — a reference to Tommy Robinson, the founder of the extreme nationalist English Defence League (EDL) group, who promoted the demonstration despite reports that he has fled the U.K. amid contempt of court hearings. Shouts of “we want our country back” and “stop the boats” also rang out.
Starmer’s meeting with senior cops comes after Merseyside police charged a 17-year-old boy from Banks, Lancashire, with the murders of Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9. The teenager also faces 10 counts of attempted murder.
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said in a midnight press conference that the charges are a “significant milestone” but that it remains “very much a live investigation.” The suspect will appear at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, but cannot be named for legal reasons because he is under 18.
Starmer, in his meeting with the senior policing leaders this afternoon, is expected to say that far-right groups exploiting the right to protest to wreak havoc must face the “full force of the law,” London Playbook reported. He is expected to give officers his full backing and commit to work in partnership with forces across the U.K. but will urge them not to hesitate to use their powers to halt the violence, which has been whipped up by misinformation.
Former police counterterrorism chief Neil Basu accused newly elected Reform UK MP Nigel Farage of “giving the EDL succor, undermining the police, creating conspiracy theories, and giving a false basis for the attacks on the police,” according to the Guardian.
Violence also broke out on Wednesday in the town of Hartlepool, where police officers were injured after they were pelted with bottles and eggs, and a police car was torched.
New Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash said the clashes were “deeply concerning,” adding: “Violence is never the answer.” Eight arrests have been made, with more expected to follow. Officers will be investigating whether the disorder was linked to the EDL.
Meanwhile, Southport remained under a Section 60 order giving police enhanced powers to stop and search suspects, amid fears of further violence.
