Swastikas and Nazi salutes have been on display among the far-right rioters who left a trail of destruction in cities across the UK this weekend.
In footage shared to Twitter/ X, one man at a protest in Sunderland on Friday could be heard being complimented on his “awesome” and “pure British” tattoos, one of which was a swastika.
Thugs rioted in cities across the UK this weekend – specifically targeting mosques and asylum seeker accommodation – in response to the fatal stabbings in Southport on Monday.
The attack in Southport left three young girls dead and many others injured.
In the aftermath of the attack, misinformation spread online claiming the perpetrator of the attack had been a Muslim migrant when in fact the individual arrested was born in Cardiff.
The riots in Sunderland, during which an old police station was set ablaze, have resulted in the arrests of at least eight people.
There were also violent clashes between protesters and police.
Former chief prosecutor for North West England, Nazir Afzal, said: “Nazi salutes, swastika tattoos, defecating in gardens, looting local shops, attacking mosques, chanting fascist slogans, throwing missiles at everyone & setting police stations on fire, but don’t you dare call them ‘far right’.
“Well, just plain ‘Nazis’ it is then.”
Protesters in Sunderland could also be seen in video footage chanting in support of former EDL leader Tommy Robinson and shouting abuse about Muslims.
Meanwhile in Leicester, images of protesters shared online appeared to show support for Nazis.
The Twitter/X account @AntiRacismDay posted a photo of two men, one draped in an England flag, performing Nazi salutes at counter protesters.
Commenting on the image on Twitter/X, Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols, wrote: “Seeing a lot of chat about how it's not fair to call those rioting ‘far right’, and people making excuses for them. If you're doing Nazi salutes on the streets of Britain and engaging in violent disorder, you don't have ‘legitimate concerns’ and you're not a patriot. End of.”
The Community Security Trust condemned the scenes of violence around the UK.
In a statement shared on Twitter/X it said: “CST utterly condemns the violent disorder seen in several towns and cities today that followed the devastating tragedy in Southport earlier this week.
“The targeting of Muslims and other minorities is appalling, and the violence directed at police. Officers is disgraceful. Nothing can ever justify this kind of behaviour, and we fully support the police, government and our partners in other communities in their response to these divisive protests.
“Our thoughts are with the officers and communities affected.”
The Board of Deputies condemned the riot outside the Southport mosque in a statement last Wednesday. It said it “unreservedly condemns the attack on the Southport Mosque, the targeting of its Muslim worshippers, and the harming of police officers. There can be absolutely no place for this kind of violence or agitation aimed at inciting communal tension.”
