Government 'failed by not branding riots as terrorism'

Party must tackle Islamophobia, warns Labour NEC member

- SALMA OUAGUIRA

The Labour government is incapable of tackling racism and Islamophobia effectively, a member of its own national committee has claimed in the wake of widespread race riots.

In an exclusive interview with The Independent, Labour’s National Executive Committee member Mish Rahman has criticised Sir Keir Starmer for his failure to categorise the attacks as “terrorism”.

He claimed the reluctance to label the violence as an act of terrorism reveals a troubling double standard, adding: “It suggests to me that it is terrorism when only committed by a Muslim. Language matters.”

This view was echoed by Britain’s former head of counterterrorism Neil Basu, who warned during the start of the disorder that the worst far-right violence seen during riots across the country should be treated as terrorism.

Mr Rahman’s comments come in the wake of nationwide violence sparked by a tragic incident in Southport where three girls were killed in a knife attack at a dance class.

This triggered a wave of far-right violence with mobs storming into several hotels housing asylum seekers, immigration law firms and centres after false rumours and misinformation fuelled the rumour that the attacker was a Muslim asylum seeker.