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Violent mob comes to Rotherham

Credit: Getty Images

Protests are spreading across the UK. In Hull, protesters gathered outside a hotel housing asylum seekers and chanted ‘stop the boats’, and in Belfast a Syrian cafe owner had his business targeted. Now the action has spread to Rotherham. This afternoon, a mob has set fire to a hotel, used to house migrants. Footage appears to show masked rioters assembling outside a Holiday Express as they clashed with police. It comes after earlier demonstrations in the area from a mix of anti-racist and anti-immigration supporters.

On Thursday, Keir Starmer used a Downing Street press conference to address violent disorder following the Southport stabbing attacks. Following reports that more protests and riots were planned for the weekend, the Prime Minister announced a series of steps he would take to show that his government will ‘not permit, under any circumstances, a breakdown in law and order on our streets’. Only a few days on and the opposite currently appears to be the case.

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Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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