Brexit: MPs urged to speak out after rise in hate crimes

More than a hundred incidents of hate crimes and racial abuse have been recorded across the UK since the EU referendum, with many of the alleged perpetrators "citing the decision to leave the EU explicitly", says The Independent.

In Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, signs saying: "Leave the EU, no more Polish vermin" were posted through the letterboxes of Polish families, while local media reported cards being distributed outside primary schools.

The Polish ambassador to Britain, Witold Sobkow, expressed shock at what he called incidents of "xenophobic abuse" directed against the Polish community after the Polish and Social Cultural Association in west London was vandalised with racist graffiti on Sunday morning.

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Shazia Awan, a former Conservative parliamentary candidate and Remain campaigner in Wales, described the state of abuse as "shocking" after being told online to "pack your bags and go home".

David Cameron condemned the rise in xenophobic abuse following a Cabinet meeting on Monday, "amid a growing chorus of concern over intolerance and hostility", says The Guardian.

The Muslim Council of Britain has reported many incidents in the days since the referendum result, "as well as shocking manifestations of hate speech both online and also on the streets of Britain". These included a demonstration outside a Birmingham mosque and reports of people being told to "go back home", says the BBC.

"This is not the post-Brexit Britain we want to see. Politicians from all sides need to speak out," said the Conservative Party's Baroness Warsi.

London Mayor Sadiq Kahn called for Londoners to "stand guard" against hate crime.

Speaking with Metropolitan Police commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe yesterday, he warned there would be a "zero tolerance" approach to xenophobic attacks and that police will now be "extra vigilant".

All of the 850,000 Londoners who were born in other EU countries "are, and will continue to be, welcome in London and in all our communities", said Khan.

He added that while London had overwhelmingly voted to remain in the EU, it was important not to "demonise" those who voted for Brexit.