British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has held an emergency meeting with police leaders following violent far-right protests that erupted after a stabbing incident in Southport. The suspect, 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana, has been charged with the murder of three girls and the injury of 10 others at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.
The protests, led by the Islamophobic English Defence League, resulted in over 100 arrests and numerous injured police officers, including during a peaceful vigil and an attack on a mosque in Southport. During the meeting with senior police leaders, Starmer expressed his full support for their efforts to tackle the violence and praised their bravery in dealing with the incident and its aftermath.
He also urged them to use their powers to halt mindless violence. In addition, the justice secretary, Angela Constance, visited Stirling police station to mark the national rollout of digital evidence sharing technology.
Meanwhile, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar outlined the party's plans to improve workers' rights, and there were calls for the UK government to review changes to the winter fuel payment for older people. The riots that occurred in various towns following the Southport attack highlighted the need for a new national violent disorder unit, which Starmer is expected to announce soon.
