UK councillor acquitted over 'cut all their throats' speech
LONDON - A British councillor was on Friday acquitted of encouraging violent disorder for saying far-right activists should have their throats cut amid riots last year, drawing claims from right-wing politicians of a hypocritical "two-tier" justice system.
Ricky Jones made the comments at a counter-protest in London after three girls were murdered in the north English town of Southport and was suspended by the ruling Labour party.
Misinformation on social media said the teenager who committed the murders at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event was an Islamist migrant, fuelling days of violent riots including attacks on mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers.
Jones, 58, was cleared by a jury following a trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court. He had made the remarks to a crowd gathered near an immigration advice centre in London after reports that far-right supporters were planning a protest.
"They are disgusting Nazi fascists ... We need to cut all their throats and get rid of them all," he said, running a finger across his throat.
Jones gave evidence that he did not intend his words to be taken literally and said his comments referred to far-right stickers with hidden razor blades found on a train.
Right-wing politicians and activists said his case was an example of how Britain had an unfair police and justice system, with those who voice concerns about immigration treated differently to those who support liberal or left-wing causes.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore Ong Beng Seng fined $30k in case linked to ex-minister Iswaran after judge cites judicial mercy
Singapore Why was Ong Beng Seng fined instead of jailed? Key points from the case
Asia Sun Haiyan, ex-China ambassador to S'pore, detained for questioning: Sources
Singapore Love that saves lives: Seniors in Singapore overcome challenges to donate organs
Singapore Over 600 orchids on display at Gardens by the Bay to mark 60 years of Singapore-Malaysia ties
Singapore Father of 4 among S'poreans arrested in CNB raids; drugs worth over $128k seized
They contrasted Jones' treatment with that of Lucy Connolly, the wife of a Conservative councillor who was jailed for 31 months for inciting racial hatred for a post urging mass deportation of migrants and the burning of their hotels.
Unlike Jones, she had pleaded guilty to the offence.
Chris Philp, the opposition Conservative Party's home affairs spokesperson, said on X: "The development of two-tier justice is becoming increasingly alarming."
Zia Yusuf, from the populist right-wing Reform UK party which is leading in opinion polls, also compared Jones' acquittal to Connolly's sentence.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer was labelled "two-tier Keir" by some opponents last summer after claims some ethnic groups were policed more leniently than others, a suggestion that has been rejected by senior ministers, police chiefs and prosecutors. REUTERS
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Antoine Semenyo thankful for support as police arrest man on suspicion of racial abuse
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox LIVERPOOL, England - Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo thanked his teammates, Liverpool, match officials and the 'entire football family' for their support after the Ghana international reported racist abuse during the Aug 15 Premier League season opener at Anfield. Semenyo was targeted by a man in the crowd during the first half, with referee Anthony Taylor stopping play to address the incident. Taylor spoke to both managers and captains before play resumed. Merseyside Police said a 47-year-old man had been ejected from Anfield. On Aug 16, they confirmed the man from Liverpool had been arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence and taken into custody to be interviewed. 'Last night at Anfield will stay with me forever - not because of one person's words, but because of how the entire football family stood together,' Semenyo wrote on Instagram. 'To my Bournemouth teammates who supported me in that moment, to the Liverpool players and fans who showed their true character, to the Premier League officials who handled it professionally - thank you. 'Football showed its best side when it mattered most.' Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Over 280 vapes seized, more than 640 people checked by police, HSA in anti-vape raids at nightspots Singapore SPLRT disruption: 28km of cables to be tested during off-service hours; works to end by Aug 23 Singapore First-half GDP boost likely temporary; Republic must stay relevant amid challenges: Chan Chun Sing Life Six-figure sales each durian season: Why S'pore durian sellers are now live selling on TikTok Singapore Airport-bound public bus to be fitted with luggage rack in 3-month trial: LTA Asia Australian universities slash staff, courses as rising wages and foreign student curbs bite Life Meet the tutors who take O-level exams every year to create a 'war mate' bond with their students Life Pivot or perish: How Singapore restaurants are giving diners what they want With Liverpool leading 2-0, Semenyo then netted twice in the second half to level the score before the home side struck two late goals to win 4-2. 'Scoring those two goals felt like speaking the only language that truly matters on the pitch,' Semenyo added. 'This is why I play - for moments like these, for my teammates, for everyone who believes in what this beautiful game can be. 'The overwhelming messages of support from across the football world remind me why I love this sport. We keep moving forward, together.' Bournemouth coach Andoni Iraola said it was a 'big shame that these things keep happening', while captain Adam Smith was shocked by the abuse. 'Totally unacceptable, kind of in shock it happened in this day and age. I don't know how Ant has carried on playing and come up with these goals' Smith told Sky Sports. 'He's a little bit down - something needs to be done. Taking a knee has taken no effect. We've supported him and hopefully he'll be OK. 'I wanted him to react (after scoring), that's what I'd have done. I'd have gone straight over there. It shows what kind of man he is to report it to the ref and carry on. Fair play to Ant.' English referee Anthony Taylor (right) speaking with both coaches and the stadium safety officer after a member of the crowd shouted abuse at Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo. PHOTO: AFP Semenyo also revealed that he had been racially abused online after the game. 'When will is stop,' he said, sharing a screenshot of a comment in which someone posted monkey emojis on his profile. REUTERS
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
US ready to be part of security guarantees for Ukraine, Germany's Merz says
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Leader of Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Friedrich Merz visits the town of Irpin, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, outside Kyiv, Ukraine May 3, 2022. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko BERLIN - The U.S. is ready to be part of security guarantees for Ukraine, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Saturday, a day after a summit in Alaska between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. "And the good news is that America is ready to participate in such security guarantees and is not leaving it to the Europeans alone," Merz told German public broadcaster ZDF after being briefed together with other European leaders by Trump on his talks with Putin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is due to meet Trump on Monday in Washington, after which a three-way meeting between Putin, Trump and Zelenskiy should be held as soon as possible with the aim of reaching a peace agreement, Merz said. "If that works out, it's worth more than a ceasefire," he said. Merz said Trump had indicated that Russia seemed ready to negotiate based on the front lines of the conflict, rather than the borders of Ukrainian regions it claims. "This is a huge difference because Russia is claiming territories that it hasn't occupied yet," he said. Speaking separately to German broadcaster n-tv, Merz said he did not think Zelenskiy would face as difficult a time in Washington with Trump as he had in February, when the two leaders clashed in an extraordinary exchange before the world's media at the White House. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Over 280 vapes seized, more than 640 people checked by police, HSA in anti-vape raids at nightspots Singapore SPLRT disruption: 28km of cables to be tested during off-service hours; works to end by Aug 23 Singapore First-half GDP boost likely temporary; Republic must stay relevant amid challenges: Chan Chun Sing Life Six-figure sales each durian season: Why S'pore durian sellers are now live selling on TikTok Singapore Airport-bound public bus to be fitted with luggage rack in 3-month trial: LTA Asia Australian universities slash staff, courses as rising wages and foreign student curbs bite Life Meet the tutors who take O-level exams every year to create a 'war mate' bond with their students Life Pivot or perish: How Singapore restaurants are giving diners what they want Merz said Zelenskiy would on Sunday talk to European leaders who would help him prepare for the meeting. "We'll give a few good pieces of advice," he said. Merz told ZDF that while it was important that Europe stand united, the U.S. would for the time being continue to play the decisive role in the war, which has raged since 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine. "The American president has the power both militarily and via appropriate sanctions and tariffs to ensure that Russia moves more than it currently does," he said. REUTERS
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
French embassy employee arrested in Mali on "unfounded" accusations, says French foreign office
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox PARIS - A French man arrested in Mali is a member of the French embassy in the capital Bamako and accusations against him are "unfounded", the French foreign office said in a statement to Reuters on Saturday. The embassy worker, named as Yann Vezilier by the Malian government in a statement on Thursday, was arrested in recent weeks alongside two generals and other military personnel and accused of participating in an alleged plot to destabilise the West African nation. "Dialogue is underway to clear up any misunderstanding," the ministry statement said. It added that his arrest was in violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. France's once close relationship with its former colonies in West Africa's Sahel region has soured in recent years since a series of military coups overthrew governments in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. REUTERS
