
Lake District mosque protesters are racist, says Labour MP
Police were called as protesters, who support and oppose the new development, clashed on Saturday outside the building site for the controversial £2.5m mosque.
Demonstrators holding placards with messages reading 'Muslims welcome here' were met with protesters holding Union flags with messages reading: 'No to the mosque' and 'Not racist! Just patriotic!'.
Michelle Scrogham, a Labour MP for Barrow and Furness who attended the counter-protest, responded to the objections by saying: 'There's absolutely no place for racism in Cumbria.'
She added: 'The comments that plague the social media pages constantly don't represent the people of this area.
'The people of this area have always been incredibly welcoming. We've had immigration on a mass scale for many, many years.
'Anybody that wants to come here and say you're not welcome, they're wrong. It's just utterly wrong.'
Construction of the South Lakes Islamic Centre, situated in Furness, Cumbria, started in January this year.
The centre will be the only masjid within a 50-mile radius, serving both the local Muslim community and visiting tourists.
The group said the space would cater to the 40 to 50 practising Muslim doctors at Furness General Hospital and their families.
Protests have previously taken place on the site, with both sides of the debate shouting at each other across the road last month as the anti-mosque group waved the Union flag.
Paul Jenkins, who organised a counter-protest on behalf of Furness Stand Up To Racism, said: 'The protest against the Islamic Centre does not speak for the majority of people in Dalton or Furness.
'The majority of our people here are from Furness, including Dalton. We celebrate our multicultural, multi-faith community and defend the right of the Islamic Centre to be here.'
Henry Goodwin, a demonstrator, said: 'There are five British values, which include tolerance of other people's faiths and beliefs.
'We're standing up for proper British values.'
Opponents have criticised the development, saying it is not needed in Furness, although those demonstrating against the mosque refused to speak to reporters on the ground.
Residents have previously voiced their concerns over social media about the construction of the mosque, calling it an ' absolute monstrosity '.
Another said: 'Absolutely disgusting… total blot on the landscape … totally unwelcome … how on earth has this been passed in planning?'
One other resident said: 'There goes the beautiful Lake District – with a huge building plonked there.'
Planning approval for the mosque was granted in Dec 2022 after 30 objections were raised.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mail
24 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
DAN HODGES: This is why I think Farage and Rayner are right - Britain is now a nation on the brink
Becky lives about ten minutes from The Bell Hotel in Epping. She used to pass by it when she went for a stroll with her daughter on nearby Bell Common. But that stopped when the asylum seekers arrived. 'I drive her past here now,' she tells me. 'It doesn't feel safe.' It's why she's joined the small group of protesters standing by steel railings, and surrounded by a polite, but large, group of police officers.


Daily Mail
24 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Police fail to arrest supporters of banned group Palestine Action in sign demos - despite more than 100 arrests last week
Police have failed to arrest supporters of the banned group Palestine Action as 11 activists sat holding signs for 60 minutes without being detained. Protests were held in both Totnes and Edinburgh today as part of a campaign opposing the proscription of the direct action organisation. But despite more than 100 arrests last week and 200 total arrests since the ban came into force on July 5, protesters today were allowed to hold their signs. It marked a stark contrast to last week when rallies were held in London, Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh and Truro where activists were physically carried away and detained by police amid shouts of 'fascist' and 'Starmer's project of fear has failed'. The ban on Palestine Action means membership of or support for the direct action group is now a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison, under the Terrorism Act 2000. Due to the ban, inviting or expressing support for the organisation - through chanting, clothing or displaying articles like flags, signs or logos - is a criminal offence. Organisers behind today's protests, Defend Our Juries, have argued police's decision to 'exercise discretion to leave peaceful protestors be' has suggested the ban on the group is unworkable as activists (in Totnes) 'defend our ancient liberties in a small, rural town'. It comes as yesterday UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk argued the proscription of Palestine Action was a violation of international law. The group was proscribed by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper after its members caused an estimated seven million pounds worth of damage to RAF Brize Norton planes on June 20. Ms Cooper also claimed '[the group's] activity has increased in frequency and severity since the start of 2024 and its methods have become more aggressive, with its members demonstrating a willingness to use violence'. Defend Our Juries says around 500 people are expected to take part in a 'mass sign-holding' on August 9 after today's protesters held signs saying 'I Oppose Genocide. I Support Palestine Action'. In Totnes protesters were joined by dozens more holding signs with their own wording, as well as people holding trade union flags and hundreds of supporters singing 'Lift the ban, now, for Gaza' and applauding speeches calling for the Home Secretary to Lift The Ban. Attending the protest was journalist George Monbiot who argued 'Palestine Action are protesters not terrorists'. He said: 'The proscription of Palestine Action is the most illiberal thing any Home Secretary has done for at least 30 years. 'The result is an Orwellian situation, in which people gently calling for peace are arrested under the Terrorism Act, while the government actively assists Israeli state terror, as it perpetrates genocide in Gaza. This is an assault on free speech, on logic and on human decency.' In a letter to police ahead of the demo, the Totnes residents claimed: 'In continuing to support the Israeli government in its genocide, including through the ongoing export of parts for F-35 fighter jets, the British government is committing crimes under the Genocide Act 1969, which is binding in UK law.' Rallies were also held in Edinburgh and Truro last week to protest the proscription of the campaign group as a terrorist organisation earlier this month. Pictured: Protesters hold up signs in support of Palestine Action at the demonstration in London Similar sign-holding protests are scheduled to take place today in Derry for a third week where, so far, the local police have made no arrests. On Wednesday Derry City & Strabane District Council became the first elected politicians to openly defy the ban and call for it to be lifted. Activists have been protesting against the UK's supplying of arms in Gaza, which has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians since October 7 - when 1,200 Israelis were killed by a Hamas incursion into the country amid the continued occupation of Palestinian territories. Although seemingly absent from today's protest, Devon and Cornwall Police said in a statement on demonstrations last week: 'A number of placards which were contrary to the law remained on display despite police advice. 'Eight people, two men and six women, were arrested on suspicion of offences under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000. They remain in police custody.' The force has been contacted for further comment as has Police Scotland.


The Independent
40 minutes ago
- The Independent
Hundreds protest Trump's visit to Scotland as US president hits the golf course under heavy security
Hundreds of protesters have gathered in Edinburgh and Aberdeen to voice their opposition to US President Donald Trump 's visit to Scotland. Demonstrators waved anti-Trump slogans objecting to his five-day trip to the country, while others brought 'free Gaza' signs and Palestinian flags. The support for the war-torn enclave comes after the president said on Friday that France's recognition of a Palestinian state 'doesn't matter'. Meanwhile, Mr Trump took to the golf course on the first full day of his visit, playing at Trump Turnberry in South Ayrshire under the watchful eye of heavy security. The army, navy and counter-terrorism police were all present at Turnberry to complete security checks on the course with police snipers on standby in scaffolding set up next to the course. Mr Trump blared 'Uptown Girl' by Billy Joel, 'Memory' by Elaine Paige and 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' by Simon & Garfunkel as he drove his golf caddie around, according to Sky News. The president flew into Scotland on Friday night, and after touching down at the nearby Prestwick Airport headed for the golf resort, which he bought in 2014. Road closures have been implemented by police with limited access for locals and members of the media. A large number of police and military personnel were spotted searching the grounds on Saturday morning ahead of his game. While the president is expected to spend much of his first day in Scotland on his course, Mr Trump has meetings scheduled with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Monday. Mr Trump drew crowds to Prestwick Airport on Friday evening as Air Force One touched down ahead of his four-day visit. Scots are set to gather across the country to protest his visit over the weekend. First Minister John Swinney, also set to meet with the president during his time in Scotland, has urged people to protest 'peacefully and within the law'. Saturday is the first major test for Police Scotland during the president's visit, with demonstrations near the American consulate organised by the Stop Trump Coalition. They will be on alert as well for any demonstrations near the president's golf course. Access to the US consulate in Regent Terrace, Edinburgh, has been blocked since 7am ahead of the protest, which started at midday and saw hundreds of people gather. In Aberdeen, Green north east Scotland MSP Maggie Chapman told the crowd of hundreds: 'We stand in solidarity not only against Trump but against everything he and his politics stand for.' Speaking about the US president, Ms Chapman said: 'He believes that climate change isn't real, he believes that cutting services for those in the world with the least is the right thing to do. 'We say no to all of those things, not in our name, never in our name.' Tension brewed at the edge of the rally during the final speech as a passer-by appearing to argue with protesters wearing Palestinian colours; police intervened and led the individual away. As speeches ended, chants of 'Trump Trump Trump, out out out' could be heard, along with 'Donald, Donald, hear us shout, all of Scotland wants you out'. The force has asked for support from others across the UK to bolster officer numbers with both organisations representing senior officers and the rank-and-file claiming there is likely to be an impact on policing across the country for the duration of the visit. The first minister was criticised for announcing public money of £180,000 would support a tournament at the Trump International golf links in Aberdeenshire. The 2025 Nexo Championship – previously known as the Scottish Championship – is set to take place there next month,. Mr Swinney said: 'The Scottish Government recognises the importance and benefits of golf and golf events, including boosting tourism and our economy.' Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie likened Mr Swinney's announcement to 'handing some pocket money to the school bully basically with £180,000 to support a golf tournament at the Menie estate'. Some 1,500 police officers have been redeployed across England and Wales for Mr Trump's private visit following concerns from police that the trip would 'undoubtedly stretch' police resources. Chief Superintendent Rob Hay, president of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents (Asps), said: 'The private visit of President Donald Trump to Scotland at the end of July will require the Police Service of Scotland to plan for and deliver a significant operation across the country over many days. 'This will undoubtedly stretch all our resources from local policing divisions to specialist and support functions such as contact, command and control.'