The Conservative leadership candidate Priti Patel has taken a firm stance against Nigel Farage’s response to the recent far-right riots, arguing that comparing the violence to Black Lives Matter protests is misguided and misleading.
In a letter to both the Prime Minister and home secretary, Patel urged the recall of parliament.
She drew parallels to the 2011 riots when MPs returned to address civil disorder and condemn the violence.
Farage, leader of Reform UK, condemned the attacks on police officers in a statement on Monday morning but insisted “deeper long-term problems remain.”
He too called for parliament to be recalled and suggested the government consider deploying the army.
“Ever since the soft policing of the Black Lives Matter protests, the impression of two-tier policing has become widespread. The Prime Minister’s faltering attempts to address the current crisis have only added to that sense of injustice.”
Nigel Farage
However, Patel rebuffed Farage’s comments as deeply misleading and “simply not relevant right now.”
She stated, “There’s a clear difference between effectively blocking streets or roads being closed to burning down libraries, hotels, food banks, and attacking places of worship. What we have seen is thuggery, violence, and racism.”
Patel highlighted the severity of the recent unrest, referencing the violent incidents in Southport where “the most appalling stabbings” occurred.
She stressed the distinction between the current violence and the protests seen during the pandemic, which were largely policed peacefully.
“What we’re seeing right now is thuggery and disorder and criminality. There is a complete distinction between the two,” she asserted.
Call for Recall
Patel emphasized the importance of elected officials being cautious about spreading misinformation.
When asked if she would feel safe in areas affected by the weekend’s violence, she responded candidly: “I would not feel safe in some of the areas and communities where we’ve seen racism and thuggery on our streets.”
She also recounted her personal experiences with racism.
“I grew up with people using the P-word against me. I think some of the individuals that are now involved in this violence, disorder, and racism that we are seeing in parts of the country – that’s no different to the type of racism that I experienced when I was growing up, and I just think that there’s no place for that in our amazing country.”
Priti Patel
In her letter advocating for the recall of parliament, Patel argued, “As home secretary, I brought forward much stronger protections against disproportionate protest and disorder. The government must act again and now. Parliament and the public need reassurances that the government are taking the steps necessary to restore law and order.”
MPs across the political spectrum have echoed Patel’s call for a recall, although the current home secretary, Yvette Cooper, indicated it was not being considered.
Similarly, shadow home secretary James Cleverly commented, “There’s nothing that needs to be voted on, there are no additional powers [needed].”
Prominent Labour MPs, including Diane Abbott and Dawn Butler, have also supported the call for parliament to return.
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