UK's Starmer slams 'far-right thuggery' at riots

Far-right rioters attack Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham, England

A mob attacked a Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham where asylum seekers were being housed

(Image credit: Christopher Furlong / Getty Images)

published 5 August 2024

What happened

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Sunday condemned a spate of "far-right thuggery" that broke out across the U.K. over the past week, including a mob attack on a Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham where asylum seekers were being housed. The anti-immigrant violence, much of it targeting Muslims, started after false rumors spread on social media that the suspect in a fatal knife attack at a children's dance class in Southport last Monday was an immigrant.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.