A senior Tory’s statement on an official website, which appeared to justify some of the activities of the far-right rioters in recent days, has been branded “totally unacceptable” by former chief prosecutor Nazir Afzal.
The statement by Donna Jones, the Tory police and crime commissioner (PCC) for Hampshire, was a response to the rioting that has taken place in Southport, Sunderland, Hull, London and Hartlepool since the murder of three girls in Southport. It was removed on Saturday night without any explanation but not before it attracted widespread condemnation on social media.
In it, Ms Jones acknowledged the rioting and civil unrest “has escalated to a worrying level”. She also noted that “the behaviour of some of those protesting has been extremely violent, highly distressing and absolutely criminal”.
But she then turned her fire on the prime minister Sir Keir Starmer and appeared to justify those who claim he is pushing a “two-tier” approach to policing, going hard on the far right but not on left-wing protesters.
Ms Jones said: “The announcement of the prime minister’s new violent crime units have led to an accusation of two tier policing, which has enflamed protesters who state that they are battling to protect Britain’s sovereignty, identity and stop illegal migration.”
While she added that burning down police stations “is not the answer”, she appeared to also call for an approach of accepting some of their claims.
“I’ve spoken to people from both sides of the spectrum and the only way to stem the tide of violent disorder is to acknowledge what is causing it,” Ms Jones said.
“Whilst the devastating attacks in Southport on Tuesday were a catalyst, the commonality amongst the protest groups appears to be focussed on three key areas: the desire to protect Britain’s sovereignty; the need to uphold British values, and, in order to do this, stop illegal immigration.”
She also noted that “the growth of feeling across the country” has “also mirrored” similar riots in France led by the far right across the Channel, in what appeared to be another defence of activities over recent days in the UK.
The PCC demanded that “the government must acknowledge what is causing the civil unrest in order to prevent it”.
Remarkably, the woman who is also chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners in the UK claimed that arresting people and creating anti-violence units is “treating the symptom and not the cause”.
She insisted Sir Keir and his government needed to find an answer to mass illegal migration, despite the fact it ballooned when her party was in government, and asked what Labour was doing “to hold up British values”.
“This is the biggest challenge for Sir Keir Starmer’s government and it has bitten quickly,” Ms Jones added.
She also called for “understanding of the views of those attending rallies who feel strongly but don’t cause disorder”.
The statement appeared to be a response to a social media trend by those supporting the violent rallies to ironically tweet #farrightthug about themselves, claiming the government is ignoring the views of British people.
It was removed from the website for the Hampshire PCC as a row blew up on social media, with many claiming Ms Jones had attempted to justify the activities of the far right in the UK. At a press conference last week, Sir Keir insisted that the gatherings by the far right were “not protests”.
In a tweet sharing the statement, former chief prosecutor Nazir Afzal branded the statement “totally unacceptable”.
Lib Dem MP Paul Kohler added: “I trust the shadow home secretary James Cleverly and shadow lord chancellor, Edward Argar, will swiftly disassociate their party from this deeply irresponsible statement from the Conservative Police & Crime Commissioner for Hampshire & the Isle of Wight, Donna Jones.”
And Eastleigh MP Liz Jarvis said: “Far from appealing for calm, the statement by Hampshire PCC Donna Jones attempting to justify the criminality we have seen across the UK this week is divisive, inflammatory and grossly irresponsible. Her position is clearly untenable.”
The Independent has attempted to contact Ms Jones and shadow home secretary James Cleverly.
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