The worst of the far-right violence seen across the UK this week should be treated as terrorism, a former senior police officer has said.
Neil Basu, Britain’s former head of counter-terrorism, called rioters who targeted a Rotherham hotel housing asylum seekers over the weekend “bullies and cowards”.
He said those who carried out the worst violence and targeted people for their race should be prosecuted under counter terrorism laws.
UK riots latest: Petrol bombs and violence in two cities
Courts minister Heidi Alexander said that was a decision for the Crown Prosecution Service, not the government.
She told Sky News there had been “absolutely disgusting and vile and totally unacceptable behaviour on our streets” and “racist attacks”.
“It is dangerous extremism and downright criminal behaviour that they need to face consequences for their actions,” the minister added.
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Ms Alexander was reacting to comments from Mr Basu who told the Guardian: “Trying to set ablaze a building with people inside, whom you have made clear you detest, is an act of violence against people and property with a racial cause designed to intimidate a section of the public – be it Muslims or asylum seekers.
“Not only does it fit the definition of terrorism, it is terrorism.
“It’s nothing short of an attempt at a modern-day lynching and the people who did it should be facing life imprisonment, not a five-year sentence for violent disorder.”
Rioters have been targeting hotels housing asylum seekers, mosques and areas with a majority Muslim presence.
The riots began in Southport last Tuesday in the wake of the fatal stabbings of three girls in the Merseyside town, and have spread to towns and cities across the UK.
NHS England’s chief executive has warned the riots have made many health workers feel “afraid and unwelcome”.
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Tell MAMA, which records anti-Muslim incidents, said it has called the police after it found “far-right threats” to target immigration lawyers and refugee services in more than 30 locations across the country on Wednesday.
Sky News has seen a Telegram channel with 13,000 members, listing immigration charities, advice centres and solicitors to be targeted on Wednesday.
