Politicians urged to take clear stand and condemn violence against asylum seekers

Political leaders have been urged to take a clear stand in condemning violence against asylum seekers in an open letter by charities that warns the weekend’s disorder could be repeated across the country.  

Organisations signed the letter following ‘horrifying’ scenes outside the Suites Hotel in Knowsley, Merseyside housing asylum seekers on Friday, which saw fireworks thrown at police, and a police van be attacked with hammers and set alight.

The letter, co-ordinated by coalition campaign Together With Refugees, criticised ‘inflammatory language’ and policies that ‘demonise’ people seeking refuge, while warning of a ‘high risk of more premeditated extremist attacks around the country’.

The letter has more than 100 signatories, including Liverpool City of Sanctuary, Care4Calais, Share Knowsley and the Refugee Council. 

Fifteen people were arrested during a demonstration outside the hotel in Knowsley on Friday, including a man who appeared in court on Monday charged with violent disorder and assault by beating of an emergency services worker.

Jared Skeete, 19, of Irwell Close, Aigburth, Liverpool, was remanded in custody to appear before Liverpool Crown Court on March 13.

The remaining 14 people who were arrested, 12 men and two women who are mainly from the Knowsley area, were conditionally bailed pending the outcome of police inquiries.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman has faced repeated criticism for her rhetoric describing migrants crossing the English Channel.

She prompted an outcry in November when she told MPs that the south coast was facing an ‘invasion’ of illegal migrants.

On Tuesday the charities said people in the asylum system ‘have already suffered terribly’, fleeing war and persecution in places like Afghanistan, Sudan, Syria and Iran.

Describing Britain’s asylum system as ‘broken’, the organisations said people are forced into a period of ‘limbo’ as they wait for a decision on their claim to stay in the UK, and end up in hotels which they called ‘a completely inappropriate form of accommodation’.

The charities called on those in charge to ‘create a system that is fair and compassionate, and brings cohesion instead of division’.

They said: ‘Having already experienced great hardship, these men, women and children who come here for protection are now faced with violence, fuelled by inflammatory language of ‘invasion’ and policies that demonise them.

‘The responsibility to create a system that is fair and compassionate, and brings cohesion instead of division, lies with our decision makers.

‘With the high risk of more premeditated extremist attacks around the country, leaders of all parties must now take a clear stand and condemn any further violence against those who come here to find safety, and set out the action they will take to prevent it.’

The charities said those responsible for inciting anger and violence ‘bring shame on this country’ and are in the minority.

They added: ‘This does not reflect the people of Britain. This is not who we are.’

Ewan Roberts, centre manager of Asylum Link Merseyside, said his area has a ‘proud history of welcoming refugees and the horrifying incident on Friday night does not represent the people of Knowsley’.

He said: ‘The people staying in temporary accommodation came to us seeking our help, and instead had the experience of being under siege by a violent mob.

‘We urge politicians to stop using rhetoric that fuels such hatred, condemn this violence and start doing the real work of clearing the backlog instead.’

Former refugee Sabir Zazai, who is now chairman of Together With Refugees – a coalition of more than 500 national and local organisations – said the issue is not about party politics but rather ‘basic human decency’.

He said: ‘The very least all political leaders could do is to condemn the attack on people seeking sanctuary in our communities.

‘Leaders of all political parties must call for the ending of these hostile policies and hateful language that only fuels division and anger.’

On Friday evening missiles were thrown towards officers in Prescot, Knowsley and damage was caused to a police vehicle, with no injuries reported. 

Protestors chanted ‘get them out’ during the riot as police were forced to wear protective clothing including riot gear shields and helmets

Knowsley MP Sir George Howarth said some at the demonstration outside the Suites Hotel were protesting against refugees.

He said it was triggered by an ‘alleged incident posted on social media’ and criticised misinformation about refugees being ‘feather-bedded’ at the hotel.

It was revealed on Saturday that the incident was sparked by fury over an online video of a schoolgirl who said she was sexually harassed by a 25-year-old man allegedly staying at the hostel.

The clip showed the man asking the 15-year-old, wearing a school uniform, for her number. The teenager, who filmed the exchange on her mobile phone, asked the bearded man his age.

When he replied that he was 25, she says: ‘You don’t do this in this country. You go to jail if you do this.’ 

A Home Office spokesperson said: ‘The Home Secretary has publicly condemned the appalling scenes outside the hotel and violence toward police officers on Friday night in Merseyside.

‘The welfare of asylum seekers in our care is of the utmost importance and we will work with the police to ensure their safety.’