Violent Protests

I wish to echo the thoughts of our Home Secretary Priti Patel and Chancellor Rishi Sunak about protests and I am in agreement that despite huge amounts of progress in our country, racism does still exist in the UK and understand the anger and frustration felt and the desire for change. However, violent protests and acts of vandalism do not lead to a better society. We should work to eradicate racism, but we must respect law and order and I am glad to see the Government’s position on this.

I am pleased to say that many protests in June 2020 have been peaceful, including the ones around the Greater Manchester area. For the small minority that were not, our Home Secretary has promised that those who committed crimes will face justice.

I have spoken jointly with the Home Secretary Priti Patel and Policing Minister Kit Malthouse, together with other MPs, raising these issues and expressing support for police officers and the job that they do. Our police officers have worked hard in a very difficult time and I am grateful that we have been able to rely on them.