Keir Starmer has mentioned the UK “won’t ever give up” the Union Flag after police have been assaulted at a far-right rally.
The prime minister mentioned he would enable it for use “as an emblem of violence, concern and division” and mentioned the occasion had led to folks being “intimidated on our streets due to their background or the color of their pores and skin”.
More than 100,000 folks took half in Saturday’s march in central London, which was organised by right-wing agitator Tommy Robinson.
The Metropolitan Police mentioned 26 of their officers have been injured, together with 4 critically, after allegedly being attacked by a few of these participating.
They mentioned: “There is little doubt that many got here to train their lawful proper to protest, however there have been many who got here intent on violence.
“They confronted officers, engaged in bodily and verbal abuse and making a decided effort to breach cordons in place to maintain everybody protected.”
In a submit on X on Sunday afternoon, Starmer mentioned: “People have a proper to peaceable protest. It is core to our nation’s values. But we won’t stand for assaults on law enforcement officials doing their job or for folks feeling intimidated on our streets due to their background or the color of their pores and skin.
“Britain is a nation proudly constructed on tolerance, variety and respect. Our flag represents our numerous nation and we are going to by no means give up it to people who use it as an emblem of violence, concern and division.”
His feedback echoed these of Winston Churchill within the Commons in 1940 as he vowed to UK would stand as much as Nazi Germany.
He mentioned: “We shall go on to the tip… we will battle on the seashores, we will battle on the touchdown grounds, we will battle within the fields and within the streets, we will battle within the hills; we will by no means give up.”
Saturday’s rally was additionally addressed by way of videolink by Elon Musk, who mentioned “violence is coming” to the UK as he known as on the federal government to be eliminated.
He mentioned: “I actually assume that there’s bought to be a change of presidency in Britain. You can’t – we don’t have one other 4 years, or at any time when the subsequent election is, it’s too lengthy.
“Something’s bought to be executed. There’s bought to be a dissolution of parliament and a brand new vote held.”
He advised the gang that they should “battle again or die” in the event that they need to defend their nation.
“Violence goes to return to you,” he mentioned. “You can have no alternative. You are in a elementary scenario right here the place, whether or not you select violence or not, violence is coming to you. You both battle again otherwise you die. That’s the reality.”
