Keir Starmer has been accused of not standing up to hard-left protests after Reform UK’s rally in Cornwall was targeted by masked protesters.
The party’s former spokesman Gawain Towler spoke on GB News about why he thinks the PM is unlikely to denounce the demonstration.
But he disagreed with political commentator Nigel Nelson, who said Starmer would speak out against any act of political violence.
Martin Daubney challenged him: “The PM called anyone who protested about immigration or Southport riots far-right. Why can’t we say anyone here is far-left?”
Towler hit out at Keir Starmer
PA / GB NEWS
Towler spoke out on those who were arrested in the wake of the Southport killings, saying the “vast majority” were speaking out after being left “upset” by the events.
But Nelson put it to him that many of those arrested were rioters, and therefore criminal proceedings were justified.
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Nigel Nelson said Keir Starmer would criticise those on the far-left
GB NEWS
“I’m happily prepared to condemn the Antifa people outside the conference. The Prime Minister would not be in favour”, he said.
Asked if the would condemn it, he said: “I’m convinced Keir Starmer would condemn any act of political violence”, a remark Towler said he was “not convinced” about.
“During the BLM [Black Lives Matter] riots, he took the knee, he didn’t condemn”, he said.
“He doesn’t condemn hard-left violence, he takes the knee to it. It’s absolutely outrageous. He does not condemn all violence.
The matter was discussed on GB News
GB NEWS
“BLM were involved in rioting and smashing things up, he didn’t condemn it.”
Reform’s conference, being held at Carn Brea Leisure Centre in Redruth, has drawn opposition from Cornwall Resists campaigners who organised a "noisy protest".
The antifascist group said they hoped to shut down the event and "ensure that Cornwall is not an easy breeding ground for far-right hatred".
The conference organisers said the event would allow Cornwall members and supporters to "hear directly from the Leadership of Reform UK" and network with business delegates.
Reform UK's Cornwall spokesman Rob Parsonage dismissed concerns about the planned protest, saying police had been notified.
"The police have been made aware and they will ensure that security is maintained. We will just ignore them. It's sad that democracy is being challenged in this way," he told reporters.
Parsonage rejected claims that Reform UK is far-right, stating: "We are not far right. I believe there was a court judgment on that. Our view is we're centre right."
He added: "All we're doing is trying to offer up a different type of politics that is open, transparent and to take to the country forward."
