Hampshire and IoW PCC defends protest comments
Donna Jones' remarks have been criticised by some as 'divisive'
Last updated 5th Aug 2024
Hampshire and the Isle of Wight's Police and Crime Commissioner has defended comments she made regarding violent disorder across the UK, after they were criticised as 'divisive' by some political figures.
The far-right has drawn widespread condemnation as the organising force behind scenes of disorder in multiple towns and cities in the wake of the killings of three young girls in Southport on Monday.
Around 150 people were arrested on Sunday after rioting in which anti-immigration protestors attacked hotels believed to be housing asylum seekers, cars were set on fire, and men were seen walking the streets with crowbars.
In a statement issued on Saturday (August 3rd), Donna Jones described the wave of demonstrations as being focused on 'the desire to protect Britain’s sovereignty; the need to uphold British values and in order to do this, stop illegal immigration'.
Ms Jones, who has served in the role since 2021 and also serves as chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, had said "arresting people" is "treating the symptom and not the cause".
Inflammatory
Luke Murphy, Labour’s MP for Basingstoke, said:
“The statement by Donna Jones PCC for Hampshire & IOW was unacceptable & inflammatory.
“Donna Jones subsequently clarified her position, except in this ‘clarification’, she also said she stood by her statement - a statement in which she seeks to explain the motivations of those involved as people seeking ‘to uphold British values’ and suggesting that arresting people was ‘treating the symptom’.
“Criminals committing violent acts, attacking the police, & stoking disorder should be condemned, not excused, for their violence & thuggery.
“Our police and communities need the UK’s top commissioner to contribute to their safety, not undermine it.”
Liz Jarvis, the Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh, described Ms Jones' position as 'untenable' and called the remarks 'inflammatory and grossly irresponsible', while Winchester's MP Danny Chambers said he was 'deeply concerned' by the comments.
Former chief prosecutor Nazir Afzal said:
"I, as a former CEO of the Association of Police & Crime Commissioners, would have heavily advised against a current PCC, let alone the chair, appearing to justify rioting & criminality that police officers are bravely having to deal with right now. Totally unacceptable."
The original statement has since been deleted from the Hampshire PCC website.
Issuing an update to the statement on Sunday, Ms Jones clarified her position to say that the violence has been 'criminal, unlawful and senseless'.
She added:
“I stand by my statement issued yesterday where I called for calm, and for the country to work together stop this mindless, criminal behaviour.
“I fully support the police’s response to stem the growth of these riots and those acting outside of the law should expect to feel the full force of it.
“The violence we have seen has endangered our communities and infected lawful protest on a much broader issue.
“As a country this issue is something we should seek to understand without letting it divide us.
“I am confident there will be a time and place for that discussion in due course.”