Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones appears to stand by divisive race riot claims
HAMPSHIRE’S police chief is standing by “divisive” claims that the arrest of race rioters over the weekend is “treating the symptom, not the cause”.
After the stabbing deaths of three girls in Southport led to a weekend of civil unrest nationwide, Tory crime commissioner Donna Jones initially claimed rioters had a “desire to protect Britain’s sovereignty”.
She issued a statement on Saturday saying protestors had felt a “need to uphold British values” and this would come about through halting Illegal immigration.
Her comments prompted a raft of criticism, including from MPs and policing officials, with one of them accusing Ms Jones of "attempting to justify the criminality".
Following the backlash, Ms Jones issued a fresh statement this morning (Monday) which “clarifies” her position on violent disorder.
The new statement says: “I want to be clear that the violence that has erupted across the UK this week has been criminal, unlawful and senseless.
“I stand by my statement issued yesterday where I called for calm, and for the country to work together stop this mindless, criminal behaviour.
“I fully support the police’s response to stem the growth of these riots and those acting outside of the law should expect to feel the full force of it.
“The violence we have seen has endangered our communities and infected lawful 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.”
The new statement strikes a different tone to her original statement, which read: “The announcement of the Prime Minister’s new Violent Crime Units have lead to an accusation of two tier policing, which has enflamed protestors who state they are battling to protect Britain’s sovereignty, identity and stop illegal immigration.”
It continued: “The commonality amongst 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.
“The government must acknowledge what is causing this civil unrest in order to prevent it. Arresting people, or creating violent disorder units, is treating the symptom and not the cause. The questions these people want answering; what is the government’s solution to mass uncontrolled immigration?”
That initial statement had prompted a backlash, with the former chief executive of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, Nazir Afzal, calling Ms Jones’ comments “totally unacceptable”.
He added: “I would have heavily advised against a current PCC, let alone the chair, appearing to justify rioting and criminality that police officers are bravely having to deal with right now."
Eastleigh MP Liz Jones accused Ms Jones of "attempting to justify the criminality" and called her initial statement “divisive, inflammatory and grossly irresponsible".
Winchester MP Danny Chambers said: “These extreme views make (Donna Jones) totally unsuitable to hold this position of responsibility."
The riots started after misinformation was circulated on social media about the 17-year-old arrested in relation to the attack on a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport that left three girls dead. It was alleged he was an illegal Islamic migrant who had come to Britain on a dingy.
He was, in fact, born in Cardiff and his parents come from Rwanda, where the majority of the population is Christian.
It is understood a “peaceful” anti-immigration protest titled ‘Taking Our Country Back’ is being planned for Bournemouth on 18th August.
Organisers claim demonstrators will not be repeating the disorder seen elsewhere, but their Facebook page is full of racist comments and people calling for “action”.
There are also comments backing the English Defence League and far right activist Tommy Robinson.
