Elon Musk's two-tier policing claims after riots were 'disgraceful' and 'baseless'

"Disgraceful" claims about "two tier" policing after far-right riots last summer piled more unwanted pressure on stretched police, a damning report has found.

The "baseless" claims peddled by Elon Musk and amplified by undermined police who put themselves at risk to end the violence, it said. Cross-party MPs found the response to the violence was "entirely appropriate".

A report by the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee also called for out-of-date laws that allowed hatemongers to exploit the horrific Southport murders to be torn up. Towns and cities descended into rioting as far-right groups targeted mosques and asylum hotels in the aftermath of the sickening attack.

MPs found some police forces failed to anticipate the level of violence that unfolded in July and August last year after three girls, Alice Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, were murdered in the senseless attack.

The report found internet rumours that the suspect was an asylum seeker - which was untrue - drove the disorder. It said police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) were limited in the information they were allowed to release, leaving a dangerous vacuum.

Billionaire Mr Musk launched a string of attacks on the Government after swift sentences were brought in to bring the violence to an end - claiming rioters were being treated more harshly. Mr Farage told MPs in September there was a "growing feeling of anger in this country that we're living through two-tier policing".

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But the cross-party Home Affairs Select Committee emphatically rejected this claim. Members wrote: "This was not protest. Those participating in disorder were not policed more strongly because of their supposed political views but because they were throwing missiles, assaulting police officers and committing arson.

"It was disgraceful to see the police officers who bore the brunt of this violence being undermined by baseless claims of ‘two-tier policing’. Thanks to the efforts of thousands of police officers, many of whom suffered serious injuries, the disorder was quelled swiftly, and loss of life was averted."

An extra 40,000 officer shifts were needed as violence spread, and over 1,800 arrests were made. There were 302 reported injuries to officers, including up to 69 who were taken to hospital.

Dame Karen Bradley, who chairs the committee, said restrictions on the information authorities could release were a gift to far-right groups spreading lies. Today's(MON) report said outdated disclosure rules for serious crimes urgently need updating to keep pace with social media.

She said: “It is a grim reality that bad actors sought to exploit the unspeakable tragedy that unfolded in Southport. By failing to disclose information to the public, false claims filled the gap and flourished online, further undermining confidence in the police and public authorities. The criminal justice system will need to ensure its approach to communication is fit for the social media age."

Tory MP Dame Karen praised police for the "tremendous courage" they showed, but said some force bosses could have better anticipated the violence spreading.

The committee urged the Government to cover the costs forces incurred - estimated at around £28 million by the National Police Chiefs' Council. MPs also called on ministers to draw up a strategy for retaining police officers, alongside recruitment.

The report said: "Police forces did their best to ameliorate the impact on officers but it is clear that the disorder has had a detrimental effect at a time when many officers were already struggling with heavy workloads, fatigue and stress."

Emily Spurrell, who chairs the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners said the ensuring capability and improved information sharing at a national level "must be a priority for all involved in policing reform".

And a Home Office spokesman said: "It is always important that we always learn lessons, and we are working closely with policing to improve national decision making, and to ensure that officers get the support they need to keep our streets safe.
"We also agree social media has put well-established principles around how we communicate after attacks like this under strain, and we must be able to tackle misinformation head on. That is why we have asked the Law Commission to carry out a review into the rules around Contempt of Court as soon as possible."

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