Nigel Farage has sparked a furious online controversy with his comments on the Leeds riots, with one local MP accusing him of “inflaming the situation with misinformation”.
Rioting broke out on a residential street in Hareshill last night following a disturbance involving social services and children, who were quickly removed to a safe space.
Meanwhile, crowds gathered and police quickly swarmed the area, causing widespread chaos, with members of the public overturning a police car and setting fire to a double-decker bus.
The leader of Britain’s Reform Party has blamed the unrest in Leeds on “subcontinent politics”.
Nigel Farage’s comments on Leeds riots spark strong reactionPennsylvaniaThe Clacton MP, who is currently in the US attending the Republican National Convention in support of Donald Trump, posted a statement online reacting furiously to the unrest.
“The politics of the subcontinent are being played out on the streets of Leeds right now,” he wrote. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Local Labour MP Alex Sobel quickly hit back at Farage and demanded he apologise for his comments.
He responded online to the Clacton MP: “This is a situation you know nothing about and no one has informed you about.
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Widespread chaos broke out on the streets of Hareshill
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“You are making the situation worse with misinformation.
“Politicians have a responsibility not to make situations worse, especially without knowing about it.
“I expect you to apologize.”
The Reform Party leader quickly responded a few minutes later: “When are you and the Labor Party going to apologise for irresponsible mass immigration?”
West Yorkshire Police earlier issued a statement strongly discouraging people from speculating about the cause of the disturbances and dispelling “incorrect information” circulating online about potential culprits.
West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin also urged the public to refrain from speculating and sharing unproven information online.
Citizens overturned a police car and set fire to a double-decker bus
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“I am reassured that no one was seriously injured, but I suggest that those who are using this to stir up communal tensions reconsider their position,” she wrote.
She later added: “I would urge everyone to refrain from speculation on social media and if members of the public believe they have images of criminal behaviour I would ask that this information be passed to the police.”
Police said no injuries had been reported so far, adding that they believed the disturbances were “instigated by a criminal minority determined to disrupt community relations”.
Officers reviewing footage of the incident said all criminal offences would be investigated and “the full extent of the law” would be brought to bear against those responsible.
Harehills is a suburb to the east of Leeds with a population of just over 30,000 people living in 11,000 households.
It was ranked among the most deprived areas in Leeds in 2020.
