King Charles praises anti-racism demonstrators during far-right violence in the UK

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said ‘swift justice has been dispensed in our courts’, some protesters sentenced to up to three years in prison

Reading Time:2 minutes

Britain’s King Charles talks with Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer during the European Political Community meeting at Blenheim Palace, near Oxford, UK, on July 18, 2024. Photo: Reuters

Published: 9:24pm, 10 Aug 2024

King Charles III applauded people who took to the streets of British towns and cities earlier this week to help blunt days of unrest fuelled by far-right activists and misinformation about a stabbing attack that killed three girls.

Charles on Friday held telephone audiences with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and law enforcement officials during which he offered his “heartfelt thanks” to police and other emergency workers for their efforts to restore order and help those affected by the violence, Buckingham Palace said in a statement.

“The king shared how he had been greatly encouraged by the many examples of community spirit that had countered the aggression and criminality from a few with the compassion and resilience of the many,” the palace said. “It remains his majesty’s hope that shared values of mutual respect and understanding will continue to strengthen and unite the nation.”

British police remain on alert for further violence after the nation was convulsed by rioting for more than a week as crowds spouting anti-immigrant and Islamophobic slogans attacked mosques, looted shops, and clashed with police. The government described the violence as “far-right thuggery,” and mobilised 6,000 specially trained police officers to quell the unrest.

The disturbances have been fuelled by right-wing activists using social media to spread misinformation about the July 29 knife attack in which three girls between the ages of 6 and 9 were killed during a Taylor Swift-themed dance event in Southport, a seaside town north of Liverpool.

Police detained a 17-year-old suspect. Rumours, later debunked, quickly circulated on social media that the suspect was an asylum seeker, or a Muslim immigrant.

Mounted police prepare for a far-right anti-immigration protest in Newcastle, England, on Saturday. Photo: AP