Southport news latest: Axel Rudakubana named as Starmer prepares police for more far-right protests across UK

An MP says she has received reports of far-right protesters targeting mosques.

Emily Darlington, MP for Milton Keynes Central, condemned any violent acts and said the city would not let violent people damage them

She wrote on X/Twitter: “Getting reports of targeting of mosques in Milton Keynes.

“This is not reflective of our inclusive and diverse city and I absolutely condemn any violent acts. We are an amazing city and we will not let people that engage in this destructive behaviour damage us #loveMK.

She added in a later post: “For further clarification I will not be naming the mosque and the incident was not targeting a person. It is important that we are clear that this is not reflective of Milton Keynes.”

Urgent action is needed to tackle the “tsunami of lies” on social media that fanned the flames of protest across the UK, an expert on right-wing extremism has said.

Professor Matthew Feldman said that within 30 hours of fake news emerging online about the suspect in the Southport stabbings, it had spread across numerous platforms and sparked protests that led to 53 police officers being hurt.

He welcomed Sir Keir Starmer’s announcement of a new national response to violent disorder but called for a corresponding response online.

Prof Feldman told PA: “Tougher laws are needed. There has been much debate about the long delayed Online Harms Bill…

“This is only the latest wake-up call to a problem that we know exists and continues to get worse. I don’t doubt the social media companies would prefer this not to be on their platform but I strongly feel they are not doing enough.

“There is planned to be a protest in Sunderland tonight. Tomorrow there seem to be protests planned in Hull, Liverpool and Cardiff although that number seems to grow by the hour. There are more than a dozen planned for this weekend alone.

“I would encourage thinking about a taskforce, not just policing boots on the ground but an internet taskforce that can do the same, not just moving around the country physically, but moving around the platforms to take down misinformation and incitement.”

Nottinghamshire Police said they were aware of two protests that may be taking place in Nottingham city centre on Saturday, and that there would be a “robust police response” to any disorder.

The force said: “We are aware of two protests that may be taking place in Nottingham city centre this Saturday (August 3) following the tragic events in Southport.

“The public can expect to see an increased high-visibility police presence in Old Market Square, on our transport routes, and within our communities throughout the weekend.

“Anyone who has any concerns, then please do speak to our officers who will be very happy to help.

“Anyone who comes into the city or our neighbourhoods to cause any kind of disorder can expect a robust police response. It simply will not be tolerated.”

Elon Musk engaged with right-wing activist Tommy Robinson on X, hours after the Prime Minister warned that social media “carries responsibility” for tackling misinformation which sparked disorder in parts of the UK.

Mr Musk, who owns the site formerly known as Twitter, responded with two exclamation marks to a post by Robinson – real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – commenting on the Prime Minister’s response to the disorder in the wake of the Southport stabbings.

The billionaire SpaceX and Tesla boss has had a controversial reign at X since taking over the company in 2022, and has been accused of allowing misinformation and other harmful content to flourish on the site since then.

It’s unlikely that Elon Musk has ever heard of Southport, far less visited it. He has five or six companies to run, after all, and has been busy this week sounding off about Venezuela, Kamala Harris, puberty blockers, and why the legacy media lie to you.

So it’s probable that some ugly riots in a seaside town somewhere in northwest England will not have registered with the strange genius who may well be the richest man in the world.

And it’s equally probable that, if you told Musk that he was in was in some way responsible for these riots, 5,000 miles away from the seven homes he owns/owned in California, he would scoff.

But that’s how it is, writes Alan Rusbridger, as he asked why Elon Musk seem to care so little about the truth?

A fundraiser launched to support the victims of the Southport stabbing and their families has reached £100,000.

Former Liverpool football player Steven Gerrard is amongst those who donated to the fund, which was set up by the Southport Dance Group Emergency Fund on behalf of preschool dance companies in the UK.

His message on the GoFundMe said he was thinking of all the families involved in “this horrific attack on innocent young lives. Sending love to you all x”.

You can donate to the fundraiser here.

A man has been charged after disorder in Manchester broke out.

About 100 demonstrators gathered on Wednesday outside a Holiday Inn hotel used to house asylum-seekers, police say.

Joshua Stokes, 26, of Ten Acres Lane, Manchester, has been charged with violent disorder and attempted actual bodily harm of a police officer, Greater Manchester police said.

He was remanded into custody to appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court.

Thames Valley Police said it is aware of a “potential planned protest this weekend in High Wycombe” and that officers would “swiftly respond” if it escalates into violent disorder.

A spokesperson for the force said: “Thames Valley Police is aware of a potential planned protest this weekend in High Wycombe.

“We are committed to facilitating a peaceful protest and the right to freedom of expression, while also keeping the community safe and so officers will be out in the area tomorrow.

“Should this planned peaceful protest escalate into violent disorder seen elsewhere in the country, officers will swiftly respond and deal with those choosing to cause harm to our communities.

“We have a plan in place for this weekend to deal with any issues that may arise.”

Activists at Stand Up to Racism have said that Muslims, migrants and Black and Brown people are “all bracing for a weekend of far right activity”.

Nine counter protests are so far being organised by anti-racism activists around the country, the group said.Co-convenor Weyman Bennett said: “We are witnessing an unprecedented amount of far right demos being called, which will all bring racist thugs onto our streets to threaten our communities and multicultural Britain”.

Separately he accused the political party Reform UK and its MP Nigel Farage of “emboldening” anti-immigrant protesters.Mr Bennett added: “We are witnessing race riots once again on the streets of Britain. We know a rise in far right and fascist forces comes hand in hand with a rise in racist attacks.

“This is the same thuggery that murdered Stephen Lawrence, and now turns its violence against Muslims and mosques. We must call for unity in our communities at this time and come together to oppose the far right’s attempts to spread division.

Stand Up to Racism co-convenor Sabby Dhalu said: “The far right are planning further actions this weekend up and down the country. We must stand up to this hatred. Communities must unite against this. We cannot allow racists to divide us at this difficult time.”