Neil Basu, the former head of counter-terrorism for the UK, has urged that the recent far-right violence seen across the country should be classified as terrorism. Basu’s comments came in response to violent incidents, including an attack on a Rotherham hotel housing asylum seekers, which he described as acts of cowardice and bullying.
Basu emphasized that those responsible for the most severe acts of violence, particularly those targeting individuals based on their race, should face prosecution under counter-terrorism laws. He characterized the attacks, including attempts to set fire to buildings with people inside, as “modern-day lynchings” and argued that perpetrators should receive life imprisonment rather than shorter sentences for violent disorder.
In reaction to Basu’s statements, Courts Minister Heidi Alexander noted that decisions on charges and classifications are the responsibility of the Crown Prosecution Service, not the government. Alexander condemned the recent violence as “disgusting,” “vile,” and “totally unacceptable,” highlighting the racist nature of the attacks. She stressed the need for those responsible to face appropriate consequences for their actions, labeling the incidents as “dangerous extremism.”
The violence, which began last Tuesday in Southport following the fatal stabbings of three girls in the town, has since spread to various cities and towns across the UK. Rioters have targeted hotels housing asylum seekers, mosques, and areas with significant Muslim populations.
The unrest has had broader implications, with NHS England’s chief executive reporting that many health workers now feel “afraid and unwelcome” due to the ongoing violence. The riots have not only raised concerns about public safety but have also sparked a debate about the classification of such acts and the appropriate legal response.
As the situation continues to develop, there are calls for a decisive response to address what many view as a disturbing trend of far-right extremism and violence across the country.