Nigel Farage has come under fire for his comments regarding the violent stabbings that took place in Southport, which resulted in the deaths of three young girls during a dance class themed around Taylor Swift. The incident also left several children and adults injured, two of whom are reportedly in critical condition. Following the attack, violent riots erupted in Southport, leading to 27 police officers requiring hospitalization; authorities suspect that the individuals involved may have connections to the far-right English Defence League.

Prior to the riots, Farage posted a video online where he questioned why the incident was not classified as terrorism and speculated about the identity of the 17-year-old suspect, who has not yet been publicly identified. Merseyside Police countered Farage’s suggestions, stating that the incident is not currently being viewed as terror-related. In response to Farage’s remarks, Brendan Cox, husband of the late Jo Cox who was murdered by a far-right extremist, criticized him for spreading conspiracy theories that he believes incite public disorder, stating that those who support Farage should be ashamed.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner also condemned Farage, arguing that he should not perpetuate misinformation regarding the motivations behind the stabbings. She emphasized the responsibility of public figures to rely on accurate information and support the community during challenging times. Labour MP Jess Phillips criticized Farage for not attending Parliament to address the incident directly, suggesting that he was seeking personal gain from the situation instead of acting as a responsible lawmaker.

Former SNP leader Humza Yousaf attributed the riots to the inflammatory rhetoric often seen from figures like Farage, asserting that such divisive commentary leads to real-world violence and unrest. Ex-MP Tobias Ellwood echoed these sentiments by accusing Farage of intentionally stoking tensions in what he deemed a reprehensible manner. In contrast, Metro Mayor of Liverpool Steve Rotheram described the chaos as being exacerbated by social media, warning that misleading narratives can easily provoke misguided public actions.

In light of these accusations, Farage defended his statements as expressions of concern about law and order in the UK, stating that asking difficult questions in light of such violent incidents is necessary. He insisted that his comments should not be conflated with extremist ideologies and dismissed the criticisms aimed at him as desperate attempts to discredit his concerns.