A shadow cabinet minister has apologised after appearing to suggest the violent anti-immigration riots across England were ‘politically justified’.
Lord Byron Gower got caught up in a social media exchange with Mail on Sunday commentator Dan Hodges yesterday over whether there could any justification for the disorder which saw police officers attacked, cars set alight and windows smashed.
Mr Hodges posted on ‘X’: ‘There’s no political justification for the disorder we have seen. But if people want to get into the blame game these are the facts.
‘The Tories were in power for 14 years. Labour have been in power for four weeks. Blaming Keir Starmer and Yvette Cooper for this is just ridiculous.’
Responding, Mr Davies said: ‘But Labour blocked the Rwanda Bill 130+ times, of course it’s politically justified!’
Mr Davies initially said he would ‘stand by my comment’, insisting he had meant Labour’s immigration approach was not politically justifiable, but backed down after the remark drew criticism online.
The shadow Welsh secretary has since said he ‘utterly’ condemns the violence seen in towns and cities across the UK over the last week — and suggested his original remarks had been ‘misconstrued’.
Lord Byron Gower (pictured) got caught up in a social media exchange with Mail on Sunday commentator Dan Hodges yesterday about whether there was any justification for the disorder
Riot police officers push back anti-migration protesters outside the Holiday Inn Express Hotel which is housing asylum seekers in Rotherham
Police push back rioters outside the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham yesterday
The exchange on ‘X’ between journalist Dan Hodges and Lord Davies of Gower
Jo Stevens, Labour’s Welsh secretary, was among those who condemned his remarks.
She wrote on ‘X’: ‘The Shadow Welsh Secretary’s comments are disgusting, misguided and dangerous. Racist violence is never justified. Politicians, including unelected ones, have an important responsibility to de-escalate tensions. Those inflaming them should seriously consider their position.’
Mr Davies was ‘spoken to’ by the Lords opposition chief whip following his intervention and reminded of the consequences of the misuse of language, the Tories said.
‘I apologise if earlier words have been misconstrued, particularly at such a sensitive time,’ Lord Davies wrote.
‘To be crystal clear, I utterly condemn the violence in our cities. What I am criticising is Labour’s totally negative approach to immigration & organised crime. I stand by that.’
A Conservative spokesman said: ‘These comments are unacceptable. Lord Davies is being spoken to by the Lords opposition chief whip and reminded of the consequences of the misuse of language at such a sensitive time and the standards expected of him as a member of the shadow cabinet.’
A bin on fire outside the Holiday Inn Migrant hotel in Rotherham
Protesters try to cram into the migrant hotel through a damaged fire exit in Rotherham
Serious violence and rioting by far-right protesters continues in side streets into the evening
It comes as violence escalated in parts of England on Sunday on the sixth day of disorder since the killings of three girls in Southport on Monday, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemning ‘far-right thuggery’ at play in the unrest.
Axel Rudakubana, a 17-year-old from Lancashire, is accused of the attack, but false claims spread online that the suspect was an asylum seeker who had travelled to the UK by boat.
A hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham was set on fire with rioters storming the building and attacking police, while others in Middlesbrough smashed the windows of houses and cars and hurled objects at officers.
A car burns after being overturned during an anti-immigration protest in Middlesbrough
Police officers stand near the broken windows of the hotel during an anti-immigration protest
A car is vandalised as far-right activists hold a demonstration in Middlesbrough
Property is vandalised as far-right activists in Middlesbrough
Cleveland Police has said 35 arrests have been made. South Yorkshire Police said one arrest has been made and suggested others will follow in the coming days as evidence is analysed after one of its officers was struck unconscious in the violence.
Conservative leader Rishi Sunak condemned the ‘violent, criminal behaviour’ later on Sunday, saying: ‘The shocking scenes we’re seeing on the streets of Britain have nothing to do with the tragedy in Southport.
‘This is violent, criminal behaviour that has no place in our society.
‘The police have our full support to deal with these criminals swiftly and they must face the full weight of the law.’
