KEIR Starmer has refused to denounce Nigel Farage’s comments and conspiracy theories around the Southport knife attack after riots erupted due to the spread of misinformation.
The Prime Minister held an emergency press conference following a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club which left three children dead, with five other kids in critical condition, on Monday, July 29.
Two adults are also said to be in critical condition in hospital.
At an emergency press conference on Thursday, Starmer demanded police action against the “violent disorder” that followed the attacks by a mob fuelled by misinformation which circulated online.
Among those who shared misinformation on social media was the Reform UK leader, who posted on X/Twitter, before the riots broke out on Tuesday, questioning the accuracy of the police's assessment that the knife attack was not terror-related.
The evening after the attack, a protest turned violent outside a mosque in Southport, following false online accusations that the attacker was a Muslim refugee who came from Syria on a small boat last year.
When asked about Farage spreading conspiracy theories about the Southport tragedy, and how his comments have been linked to the violence which followed, Starmer refused to comment.
He said: “I’m not going to give a running commentary on other people, what I am saying is focus on the families and the victims who are at the heart of this.
“I think that should be the focus for everybody and anybody who says or does anything that impedes their ability to get the justice they deserve cannot claim to be acting in their best interest because they are not.”
Farage (below) had speculated whether the teenager who had been charged with the stabbings was being monitored by security services.
He also said: “I wonder whether the truth is being held from us, I don't know.”
Police said they believed some of the violent protesters were from the English Defence League (EDL) and had travelled to the area.
Videos were shared online of protesters chanting “you’re not English anymore” while throwing bottles and cans at police in riot gear.
Police confirmed more than 100 people were arrested for offences including violent disorder, assault on an emergency worker, and breach of protest conditions.
While some officers were reported to suffer minor injuries.
