U.K. leader Starmer condemns attack on asylum-seeker hotel as far-right violence spreads

U.K. Prime Minister vows to bring far-right thugs to justice after violent attacks on asylum seekers and anti-racism protesters.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer strongly condemned an attack on August 4 on a hotel housing asylum seekers, describing it as “far-right thuggery" as more violence broke out in several towns and cities across the country in the wake of a stabbing rampage at a dance class that left three girls dead and many more wounded.

In a statement from 10 Downing Street on August 4 afternoon, the Prime Minister vowed that the authorities will “do whatever it takes to bring these thugs to justice."

“I guarantee you will regret taking part in this disorder, whether directly or those whipping up this action online and then running away themselves," he said. "This is not a protest, it is organized, violent thuggery and it has no place on our streets or online.”

Mr. Starmer was speaking after another day of far-right violence, which was particularly acute in the north of England town of Rotherham where police struggled to hold back a mob of hundreds of rioters who sought to break into a Holiday Inn Express hotel being used as accommodation for asylum-seekers.

Before bringing the riot under some sort of control, police officers with shields had faced a barrage of missiles, including bits of wood, chairs and fire extinguishers. A small fire in a wheelie bin was also visible while windows in the hotel were smashed.

“Right now, there are attacks happening on a hotel in Rotherham,” Mr. Starmer said. “Marauding gangs intent on law-breaking, or worse. Windows smashed. Fires set ablaze. Residents and staff in absolute fear. There is no justification — none — for taking this action.”

Far-right agitators have sought to take advantage of last week's stabbing attack by tapping into concerns about the scale of immigration in the U.K., in particular the tens of thousands of migrants arriving in small boats from France across the English Channel.