Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has launched a furious attack against summer rioters by labelling the spate of incidents as “arson, racism and thuggery”.
Unrest was sparked across England and Northern Ireland following a series of unfounded rumours about the perpetrator behind the tragic stabbing of three children in Southport.
Speaking at the ACC in Liverpool, Cooper said: “Don’t anyone tell me that was protest, don’t anyone tell me that was about immigration or policing or poverty.
“Plenty of people have strong views on immigration, on crime, on the NHS and more but they don’t pick up bricks and throw them at the police.
“They don’t set fire to buildings with people inside. It was arson, it was racism, it was thuggery, it was crime.”
Around 29 anti-immigration demonstrations and riots took place across 27 towns and cities in the UK.
Unrest included attacks against local mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council confirmed 1,280 people had been arrested for their involvement, with 796 charged.
Earlier this month, the Government confirmed 570 people had been brought before the courts.
Cooper later slammed the Tories and Reform UK for becoming “right-wing wreckers”, adding: “They have nothing to offer but fear, division and anger.”