Tory councillor wife Lucy Connolly in court today for charges of inciting racial hatred online
Lucy Connolly, 41, the partner of Conservative West Northamptonshire councillor Raymond Connolly, is set to appear at Northampton Crown Court charged with publishing written material to stir up racial hatred.
Ms Connolly was refused bail and remanded in custody until her appearance today in relation to a social media message calling for attacks on asylum seekers.
The court heard it is alleged that Connolly, from Parkfield Avenue, Northampton, posted on X, formerly Twitter, on the day of the Southport knife killings, saying: “Mass deportation now, set fire to all the f****** hotels full of the bastards for all I care… If that makes me racist, so be it.”
It comes as far-right riots engulfed the country, with over 900 people arrested and 466 charged in relation to the violent disorder.
In Rotherham, South Yorkshire, a far-right mob tried to set fire to a Holiday Inn Express believed to be housing asylum seekers.
Towns and cities including Liverpool, Newcastle and Birmingham also saw widespread violence, with people arrested for offences ranging from violent disorder to theft and antisocial behaviour.
Key Points
Tory councillor’s wife to appear in court for racial hatred charges
Three to appear in court after Belfast rioting
More than 900 rioters arrested and 466 charged nationwide
Cooper says respect for police must be restored after riots
Archbishop of Canterbury says far-right rioters are unchristian
Exclusive: Anti-racism Muslim group urge government to ramp up safety commitments
11:00 , Salma Ouaguira
A prominent anti-racist Muslim group are urging the government to ramp up its commitment to gender-based Islamophobia, The Independent can reveal.
Muslim communities, including women, are fearing for their lives amid widespread race riots around Britain across the past week which have left dozens of people injured and hundreds arrested.
Shaista Aziz, Amna Abdullatif and Huda Jawad, who are known as “The Three Hijabis” due to their heritage and Islamic religious dress, have been contacted by Muslim women across the country with worries and reports of their hijabs being pulled off in the street.
Yet, there is no specific government strategy in place to safeguard Muslim women, despite the government’s stated “mission” to protect women and girls.
“Muslim women being afraid to travel into their town and city centres – making them no-go areas for them, is gendered Islamophobia,” a statement, first seen by The Independent, from The Three Hijabis says.
Our race correspondent Nadine White has the full story:
Anti-racism Muslim group urge government to ramp up safety commitments for women
Violent rioters could face up to 10 years in jail, top prosecutor warns
10:45 , Salma Ouaguira
The director of public prosecutions has reportedly warned that the worst offending protesters could face up to 10 years in prison if they are charged with rioting.
Stephen Parkinson, head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said hundreds of violent rioters will continue appearing in courts across the country in the coming days, the Sunday Times said.
Mr Parkinson reportedly told of a “new phase” of cases which will include “more serious charges with stiffer penalties”.
Many charged so far have been prosecuted for violent disorder, which carries a maximum sentence of five years.
The Sunday Times reported that the CPS is considering charging people with the more serious offence of rioting, which could lead to 10 years’ imprisonment.
The newspaper quoted Mr Parkinson saying: “We warned of the consequences and we will deliver these consequences.
“It’s not about exacting revenge, it’s about delivering justice.”
It comes as the parents of a “precious” six-year-old girl killed in the Southport attack said that their older daughter saw and escaped the stabbing.
Bebe King was killed alongside Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, during a mass stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class at the Hart Space on M
Stephen Parkinson, the Director of Public Prosecutions (Aaron Chown/PA) (PA Wire)
Archbishop of Canterbury says far-right rioters are unchristian
10:30 , Salma Ouaguira
The Archbishop of Canterbury has labelled the far-right “unchristian” and condemned the use of Christian imagery in the riots as “an offence to our faith”.
Justin Welby made the remarks condemning the violent unrest, which he described as “racist”, “anti-Muslim, anti-refugee”, in an article for the Guardian newspaper.
The country’s most senior Christian leader weighed in following a week of disorder that began after a mass stabbing of children at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport in July.
The archbishop’s called Christians to distance themselves from the far-right, writing: “Let me say clearly now to Christians that they should not be associated with any far-right group – because those groups are unchristian.”
He added that Christian iconography had been “exploited” by the far-right and served as “an offence to our faith”.
Speaking directly to Muslims and other faiths, Mr Welby said: “We denounce people misusing such imagery as fundamentally antichristian.”
Mr Welby said the riots were “detonated by lies and fuelled by deliberate misinformation, spread quickly online by bad actors with malignant motivations.”
He added: “The lies and misinformation flourished in fertile ground cultivated by years of rhetoric from some of our press and politicians, arriving at a point where some felt emboldened to try to set fire to a hotel housing asylum seekers and target mosques.”
The archbishop also rejected the description of the riots as “protests” and said they were “criminal” and “must be controlled”.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has branded far-right riots unchristian (PA Archive)
First child to be convicted for violent disorder in Sunderland
10:15 , Salma Ouaguira
A 15-year-old boy has become the first child to be convicted for his part in violent disorder in Sunderland, Northumbria Police said.
The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested on Friday morning as part of a round of early-morning raids across Sunderland.
He appeared at South Tyneside Youth Court on Saturday where he admitted one charge of violent disorder and the burglary of a business, after stealing from a vape shop.
He will next appear at South Tyneside Youth Court on Thursday.
Children to learn about fake news in curriculum overhaul after UK riots sparked by killings
10:00 , Salma Ouaguira
Schools will teach children about spotting extremist content and fake news online in an overhaul of the curriculum after far-right riots erupted across the UK following the fatal knife attack in Southport.
The education secretary announced on Saturday that English, ICT (information and communication technology) and maths are among the lessons that will be used to “arm” pupils against “putrid conspiracy theories”.
Students will begin acquiring the critical thinking skills that enable identifying misinformation online as young as five, said Bridget Phillipson.
Children to learn about spotting fake news online in curriculum overhaul after riots
Man arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill in video
09:45 , Salma Ouaguira
West Midlands Police (WMP) say they have made an arrest after a video was circulated on social media of a man suspected of making threats to kill.
The force said the video was brought to their attention and officers identified the location and arrested a 30-year-old man in Sparkbrook, Birmingham, on Saturday evening.
“We take swift and effective action against anyone who feels that they can use social media to stir racial hatred or to encourage people to cause violence or take actions into their own hands,” WMP said.
“We would like to thank the public for making us aware of the video and want to reassure people that action has been taken.
“We will not tolerate violence in our towns and cities, or tolerate those who use social media to encourage such violence.
“Our commitment to the safety of all residents remains unwavering and we will continue to work closely with the community to uphold peace and maintain order.”
Watch: CCTV footage shows mosque in Newtownards getting petrol-bombed
09:41 , Salma Ouaguira
Man arrested over Newtownards mosque attack
09:30 , Salma Ouaguira
A man has been arrested following an attack on a mosque in Newtownards.
A petrol bomb was thrown at the mosque in Co Down in the early hours of Saturday with graffiti sprayed on the front door and walls of the building.
The man, 42, was arrested on suspicion of several offences including attempted arson, possessing a petrol bomb and attempted intimidation following a search of two properties in the town on Sunday.
He remains in police custody. Police said the petrol bomb did not ignite. A Police Service of Northern Ireland spokesperson appealed to the public to come forward with any further information.
“Enquiries are continuing and anyone with any information or footage that could assist the investigation is asked to contact police,” they said.
Northern Ireland’s first minister and deputy first minister condemned the attack and violence in Londonderry, in which 10 police officers were injured.
Michelle O’Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly said the incidents were “wrong, unacceptable and rejected” by the vast majority of the community. In a joint statement, they said: “They are disgraceful manifestations of criminality and have absolutely no justification.”
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland condemns Londonderry disorder
09:15 , Salma Ouaguira
Secretary of State Hilary Benn has condemned the attack on police during disorder in Londonderry.
Ten officers were injured in the trouble on Saturday, police said.
PSNI said fireworks, petrol bombs and other missiles were used to attack officers.
Mr Benn posted on X: “I’m appalled at the attacks on police in Derry/Londonderry last night.
“My thanks to the PSNI for working to keep people safe and our thoughts are with the officers who were injured.”
I’m appalled at the attacks on police in Derry/Londonderry last night. My thanks to the PSNI for working to keep people safe and our thoughts are with the officers who were injured. https://t.co/Yvg5SurXeP
— Hilary Benn (@hilarybennmp) August 11, 2024
Man arrested for disorder in Sunderland to appear in court today
09:10 , Salma Ouaguira
A 38-year-old man has been arrested by the Northumbria Police major investigation team looking into the disorder in the North East, the force said.
Philip Cawthorne, of Southend Road, Sunderland, was charged with one count of violent disorder and appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, where he pleaded guilty to his role in the disorder.
He was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Newcastle Crown Court on 20 August to be sentenced.
Jack Fowler, 24, of Beaumont Terrace, Newcastle, has been charged with one count of violent disorder and will appear at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Monday morning.
“This brings the total number of people charged to 15 in relation to Sunderland disorder on August 2,” Northumbria Police said.
Cooper says respect for police must be restored after riots
09:01 , Salma Ouaguira
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said respect for the police must be restored after they faced “brazen abuse and contempt” during rioting.
Attacks on local communities and police are a “disgraceful assault on the rule of law itself,” she said.
“As home secretary, I am not prepared to tolerate the brazen abuse and contempt which a minority have felt able to show towards our men and women in uniform, or the disrespect for law and order that has been allowed to grow in recent years,” Ms Cooper wrote in the Daily Telegraph.
“As well as punishing those responsible for the last fortnight’s violent disorder, we must take action to restore respect for the police and respect for the law.”
‘People feel crime has no consequences’ home secretary warns after UK riots
More than 900 rioters arrested and 466 charged nationwide
09:00 , Salma Ouaguira
The National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC) has released the latest figures showing the number of arrests and charges made across the UK since 29 July in relation to the ongoing disorder.
Arrests now amount to 927 and 466 people have been charged on various accounts, including for racial hatred.
Police forces with riot gear prepare for a far-right anti-immigration protest in Newcastle, England, Saturday, 10 August (AP)
Three to appear in court after Belfast rioting
08:58 , Salma Ouaguira
Three men will appear in court in Northern Ireland on Monday, facing charges connected with recent rioting in Belfast.
A 26-year-old man has been charged with a number of offences, including riot, arson, conspiracy to commit arson, three counts of possession of an offensive weapon with intent, and two of criminal damage.
He will appear at Belfast Magistrates court.
A 58-year-old man has been charged with possessing written material intended or likely to stir up hatred or arouse fear.
He will appear at Belfast Magistrates’ Court.
A 30-year-old man has been charged with intentionally encouraging or assisting riot, publishing written material intended to stir up hatred, sending menacing messages through a public electronic communications network, and possession of fireworks without a licence.
He will appear at Downpatrick Magistrates’ Court.
Tory councillor’s wife to appear in court for racial hatred charges
08:46 , Salma Ouaguira
The wife of a Tory councillor is due to appear in court in relation to tweet calling for attacks on asylum seekers.
Lucy Connolly could face 18 months in prison on charges of stirring up racial hatred when far-right violence swept the country.
She was refused bail and will appear at Northampton Crown Court accused of writing tweets against asylum seekers.
Posted on X, fomerly Twitter, she wrote: “set fire to all the f****** hotels full of the b*******” on the day of a stabbing in Southport that left three young children dead.
Lucy Connolly has been arrested over a Twitter post (social media)
#Tory #councillor #wife #Lucy #Connolly #court #today #charges #inciting #racial #hatred #online