JEREMY Corbyn and four fellow independent MPs have criticised Keir Starmer for not going “nearly far enough in identifying the anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim hatred” behind the riots in England and Northern Ireland.
The former Labour leader said that the Prime Minister should stand “shoulder to shoulder” with the victims of the far-right violence last week and that he should stop “pandering” to those who have helped stoke the flames.
A large crowd gathered outside a mosque in Middlesbrough on Sunday while other places of worship for Muslims were also targeted across England and Northern Ireland.
The riots follow multiple right-wing rallies which were organised for the weekend following the death of three young girls in Southport.
Corbyn and the four other independent MPs said they are alarmed by the UK’s Government’s inaction to meet with the Muslim Council of Britain, the largest body representing Muslims in the UK, following the targeted violence at the weekend.
In a letter to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, shared on social media, they wrote: “While we welcome the Prime Minister’s condemnation of the ‘far-right thuggery’ that has scarred our towns and cities this weekend, we feel his words do not go nearly far enough in identifying the anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim hatred driving this violence.
“When people are under attack for the colour of their skin and their faith, Government references to ‘understandable fears’ send mixed messages and only give succour to those seeking to sow hatred and division.
“At a time when gangs of violent racist thugs are targeting mosques and asylum centres, we are alarmed the Government has said they have no plans to meet with the largest body representing Muslims in the UK, the Muslim Council of Britain. We find it inconceivable representatives of any other faith community would be treated in a similar manner.
“Instead of pandering to those who have helped ferment the ugly racism behind these protests, we expect our Government to call out the bigotry and Islamophobia behind them and stand shoulder to shoulder with its victims.
“We reject any narrative that seeks to blame asylum seekers and immigrant communities for the decades of austerity and the subsequent decline in stable and well-paid jobs that has eroded the fabric of once-secure communities.”
The five MPs also called for an urgent meeting with the Home Secretary to “discuss what actions are planned to stamp out this racist terror”.
The Home Office announced on Sunday that mosques would be offered greater protection under a new “rapid response process” which is designed to quickly tackle the threat of further attacks on places of worship.
