UK (Washington Insider Magazine) – Far-right demonstrations escalated into violence across multiple English cities on Wednesday night, triggered by recent mass stabbings in Southport. The stabbings, which resulted in the deaths of three young girls and injuries to several others, have been accompanied by far-right agitation fueled by online disinformation.
The protests, part of the “Enough is Enough” movement, saw participants engaging in violent clashes with law enforcement in London. Protesters threw bottles and flares at police and directed anti-Islam slogans at Downing Street. In Manchester, demonstrators targeted a hotel housing asylum seeker, while in Hartlepool, a mob set police cars on fire and attacked officers with sticks and other objects.
The Metropolitan Police reported over 100 arrests in London for charges including violent disorder and assault on emergency workers. Manchester saw two arrests, and Hartlepool recorded eight. The unrest follows a previous night of violence in Southport, where far-right protesters attacked a mosque, vandalized vehicles, and clashed with police. This violence occurred shortly after a peaceful vigil for the victims of the stabbing, which also left eight other children and two adults critically injured.
Online Misinformation Amplifies Tensions
According to CNN, the violence was fueled by misinformation spread over the internet. Following the attack, erroneous rumors regarding the suspect’s name and history spread on social media. The suspect, a 17-year-old from Banks, Lancashire, was wrongly identified as an asylum seeker, a fabrication that quickly circulated online.
The Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) reported that the false information was widely disseminated, with over 30,000 mentions on X (formerly Twitter) alone. This misinformation was amplified by prominent far-right figures and was prominently featured in the platform’s recommended searches. Tim Squirrell from ISD noted that such misinformation is often used to further far-right agendas and exploit public concern over migration.
The misinformation also spread through Telegram groups, where the “Southport Wake Up” group was identified as a source of false details and calls for protests. This group continued to incite violence and organize disruptions at Muslim centers across England.
Government Response and Security Measures
Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the misuse of the Southport tragedy by far-right groups and emphasized that such violence would not be tolerated. He is scheduled to meet with senior police personnel to discuss the current unrest. While peaceful protest is a protected right, Downing Street stressed that anyone using it to encourage violence and hatred will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
The situation indicates the significant impact of online misinformation on public order and the challenges authorities face in managing the spread of false information and its real-world consequences.
