Tory police commissioner blames illegal immigration for riots

A Tory policing chief has suggested that “mass uncontrolled immigration” is one of the reasons behind rioting which has spread across the UK.

In a statement Donna Jones, the police and crime commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, compared the riots over the last week to a “rebellion to illegal immigration.”

The Conservative politician said that while not justifying any violence she had spoken to people from “both sides of the spectrum” and claimed there was value in “understanding the views of those attending rallies who feel strongly but don’t cause disorder.”

On Saturday, there were violent confrontations in Hull, Leeds, Liverpool, Bristol, Manchester, Stoke-on-Trent, Blackpool and Belfast and more than 90 arrests were made.

Police officers were attacked and forced to draw their batons as they came under fire from bricks, bottles and flares.

The riots have been sparked by the fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport on Monday.

On Saturday evening, as violence emerged across the country, Ms Jones, who claims to be the UK’s most senior police commissioner, released a statement which appeared to justify some of the activities.

On Sunday, rioting continued in Middlesbrough, Bolton and Rotherham where rioters attacked a hotel housing migrants.

“I’ve spoken to people from both sides of the spectrum and the only way to stem the tide of violent disorder is to acknowledge what is causing it,” Ms Jones said.

“Whilst the devastating attacks in Southport on Tuesday were a catalyst, the commonality among the protest groups appears to be focused on three key areas: the desire to protect Britain’s sovereignty; the need to uphold British values, and, in order to do this, stop illegal immigration.”

She said arresting people was “treating the symptom and not the cause” and that the Prime Minister had questions to answer about how the new Labor Government would tackle immigration and uphold British values.

Nazir Afzal, the Former chief prosecutor, called her comments “totally unacceptable” and said she was “appearing to justify rioting and criminality that police officers are bravely having to deal with right now.”

Charlotte Nichols, the Labor MP for Warrington North, told The Telegraph: “First and foremost, it means the office that she holds.

“We can accept that there is anger in parts of the community about immigration but that doesn’t mean we legitimize thuggery.

“Considering the number of police officers who have been injured, I believe her position is untenable. “She should resign, and if not, she should be sacked.”

Ms Jones is also the chairman of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners in the UK.

Following the criticism, she released another statement, praising the police and condemning “those acting outside the law”, but refusing to back down from her position.

“I stand by my statement issued (Saturday) where I called for calm, and for the country to work together to stop this mindless, criminal behavior,” she wrote on the official website of the commissioner on Sunday.

“I fully support the police’s response to stem the growth of these riots and those acting outside the law should expect to feel the full force of it.

“The violence we have seen has endangered our communities and infected legal protest on a much broader issue.

“As a country this issue is something we should seek to understand without letting it divide us.

“I am confident there will be a time and place for that discussion in due course,” she added.