PM Focuses on Victims Amid Criticism of Clacton MP’s Alleged Support for EDL
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has emphasized his focus on the victims of the Southport atrocity, amid criticism of Nigel Farage, the leader of the Reform Party, for allegedly supporting far-right narratives. Former counter-terror official Neil Basu accused the Clacton MP of giving “succour” to the English Defence League (EDL).
Starmer refrained from criticizing Farage’s response to the knife attack, where Farage speculated that the suspect might have been under security surveillance without any evidence. Starmer stated, “What I am saying is my focus is on the families, the victims who are at the heart of this, and I think that should be the focus for everybody.”
Farage questioned whether the truth about the attack, which resulted in three children being killed and others injured, was being withheld. He speculated about the suspect’s monitoring status in a video posted on X. This led to widespread criticism from figures like Home Office minister Jess Phillips, former counter-terror police chief Neil Basu, and Brendan Cox, husband of the late MP Jo Cox, as far-right riots erupted in Southport.
John McDonnell, former shadow chancellor, suggested that the House of Commons standards commissioner should investigate whether Farage’s comments discredited parliament. McDonnell stated, “We are at a dangerous moment in our society where racist thugs feel they have been given permission by some national politicians to express their racist views and run riot with impunity.”
Steve Rotheram, Labour Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, described Farage’s remarks as “contemptuous” and noted that senior politicians’ language can be a dangerous tool for far-right groups. He added that most people in the UK, especially in communities like Southport, are welcoming to newcomers, and divisive rhetoric is unhelpful.
Former Conservative Chancellor George Osborne commented that the mainstream political establishment has been “a little bit lame in taking the fight to Farage.” He warned that Farage poses a significant threat to both the Conservative and Labour parties, suggesting that the political establishment needs to be more assertive in countering Farage’s influence.
On Wednesday, Neil Basu accused Farage of “giving the EDL [English Defence League] succour, undermining the police, creating conspiracy theories, and providing a false basis for the attacks on the police.”
