Priti Patel says US police brutality is ‘no excuse’ for ‘thuggery’ at home as 135 Londoners arrested after BLM protests

Priti Patel has condemned acts of violence and "vandalism" during Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests in London as the work of “thugs and criminals”.

The Home Secretary told the House of Commons that while the majority of demonstrations over the weekend were peaceful, a “lawless minority of protesters have regrettably turned to violence.”

Ms Patel confirmed that 135 arrests had so far been made since thousands of Londoners took to the streets on Saturday and Sunday to march in the name of racial equality.

She said she agreed with "the many peaceful protesters that racism has absolutely no place in our society," adding: "Black lives matter."

But, referring to the killing of George Floyd which sparked widespread unrest, she added: "Police brutality in the United States is no excuse for the violence against our brave police officers at home."

Ms Patel said she “saluted the bravery” of the 35 London police officers injured during the action, adding: “The thugs and criminals responsible are already being brought to justice.”

Some 200 protests took place across the UK over the two days, the Home Secretary confirmed, adding that more than 137,500 people have attended BLM rallies throughout the country.

Referring to those police officers injured during the clashes, Ms Patel added: "As the ugly tally of officer assaults show, some protesters regrettably turned to violence and abusive behaviour at the weekend.

"This hooliganism is utterly indefensible. There is no justification for it."

“There is no excuse for pelting flares at brave officers, throwing bikes at police horses, attempting to disrespect the Cenotaph or vandalising the statue of Winston Churchill, one of the greatest protectors of our freedoms who has ever lived.

“It’s not for mobs to tear down statues and cause criminal damage in our streets, and it is not acceptable for thugs to racially abuse black police officers for doing their jobs.

“The criminals responsible for these unlawful and reckless acts are betraying the very cause they purport to serve.

“These protests are about injustice but by attacking our courageous police, they are acting in a wholly unjust way.”

Ms Patel described the "thuggish" behaviour of the “criminal minority” as "shameful", as she offered her "full backing" to the police.

She said: “To the quiet law-abiding majority who are appalled by this violence and have continued to live their lives within the rules, I hear you.

“To the police who have been subject to the most dreadful abuse, you have my full backing as you act proportionately, fairly and courageously to maintain law and order.

“To the criminal minority who have subverted this cause with their thuggery, I simply say this – your behaviour is shameful and you will face justice.”

Later during Monday's session in the Commons, Labour MP Florence Eshalomi turned the focus to the BLM cause, rather than the protests themselves.

She called on the Home Secretary to “act now” to resolve the “structural inequality, discrimination and racism” in the UK and prove that black lives matter.

But Ms Patel rejected claims that she or the Government do not understand racial inequality, saying she will “not take lectures” from others when it comes to racism.

Speaking in the Commons, Ms Eshalomi said: “Does the Home Secretary actually understand the anger and frustration felt by so many people?

“Does the Home Secretary recognise that this protest has been led by young people?

“Does the Home Secretary recognise that there is structural inequality, discrimination and racism in our country?

“Does the Home Secretary recognise that people want to see action from this Government?

“My son turned three yesterday, I do not want to have to wait until he’s a teenager before we see changes in this country – will this Government and the Home Secretary act now?

“Black lives matter and we need to see this Government doing something about that.”

In response to Ms Eshalomi, Ms Patel said she was “really saddened” that she had “effectively said that this Government doesn’t understand racial inequality”.

Ms Patel added: “Well, on that basis, it must have been a very different Home Secretary who as a child was frequently called a Paki in the playground, a very different Home Secretary who was racially abused in the streets or even advised to drop her surname and use her husband’s in order to advance her career.

“A different Home Secretary recently characterised, if madam deputy speaker I can say so, in The Guardian newspaper as a fat cow with a ring through its nose – something that was not only racist but offensive, both culturally and religiously.

“This is hardly an example of respect, equality, tolerance or fairness.

“So, when it comes to racism, sexism, tolerance for social justice, I will not take lectures from the other side of the House.

“I have already said repeatedly there is no place for racism in our country or in society, and sadly too many people are too willing, too casual to dismiss the contributions of those who don’t necessarily conform to preconceived views or ideologies about how ethnic minorities should behave or think.

“This, in my view, is racist in itself.”

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