Nigel Farage calls on Keir Starmer to condemn assaults amid Notting Hill Carnival row
Nigel Farage has called on Sir Keir Starmer to condemn assaults after partygoers were stabbed at Notting Hill Carnival.
A 32-year-old mother was among the victims left fighting for her life after sustaining stab wounds just before 6pm on Sunday.
Another seven people were stabbed, with as many as 50 police officers also injured.
The Metropolitan Police subsequently arrested 334 people, including three in connection with the woman stabbed on Sunday.
Responding to the spate of arrests, Farage asked: “Will Keir Starmer condemn the 37 assaults on emergency workers at Notting Hill Carnival?”
Zia Yusuf, who is looking to professionalise the populist party as Reform UK’s chairman, added: “London deserves better than the disgraceful scenes that unfolded this week at Notting Hill Carnival. We note the total lack of political condemnation from Labour leaders.”
Criticisms of Starmer came after the Prime Minister vowed to take on “far-right” protesters after a series of violent protests across England and Northern Ireland just a few weeks ago.
Speaking in Downing Street’s rose garden earlier today, Starmer doubled down on his condemnation of the “thugs”.
He said: “We’ve seen shocking scenes across the nation. A mindless minority of thugs – who thought they could get away with causing chaos.
“Smashing up communities and terrifying minorities. Vandalising and destroying people’s property.
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“Even trying to set fire to a building – with human beings inside it. And as if that wasn’t despicable enough. People displaying swastika tattoos. Shouting racist slurs on our streets.
“Nazi salutes at the cenotaph – The very place we honour those who gave their lives for this country. Desecrating their memory under the pretence – and it is a pretence – of ‘legitimate protest’.
“Now they’re learning that crime has consequences. I will not tolerate a breakdown in law and order under any circumstances. And I will not listen to those who exploit grieving families and disrespect communities.
“But these riots didn’t happen in a vacuum. They exposed the state of our country, revealed a deeply unhealthy society, the cracks in our foundation laid bare – Weakened by a decade of division and decline, infected by a spiral of populism, which fed off a cycle of failure of the last Government.”
Reform UK Assembly Member Alex Wilson also weighed in on Notting Hill Carnival by calling for Starmer to launch a similar clampdown on troublemakers.
Wilson, who was elected on the London-wide ticket in 2024, called for Notting Hill partygoers who were arrested to face as harsh a treatment as rioters from July 30 to August 5.
He said: “As I saw on my visit yesterday, for the majority of attendees Notting Hill Carnival is an important cultural celebration with a huge effort going into creating a spectacle for many Londoners to enjoy.
“Unfortunately as with recent years, this year’s event was again marred by several incidents of serious violence. Eight stabbings were reported, some resulting in life-threatening injuries. Sixty-seven weapons were seized, including two firearms.
“Ninety-seven police and emergency workers were assaulted while simply doing their job of keeping carnival-goers safe. That a mother was stabbed in front of her child on Sunday, traditionally a day focused on children and families, is particularly appalling.
“The Metropolitan Police deployed over 7,000 officers, costing the taxpayer in excess of £11million – a significant strain on London’s Police resources.
“Dealing with an event of this magnitude is far from easy and I extend my heartfelt thanks and full support to the Metropolitan Police and all emergency workers for their dedicated efforts at this year’s Carnival. I wish a speedy recovery for all emergency workers injured in the line of duty.
“We have seen the justice system respond rapidly and decisively to unrest earlier this month, and trust an equivalent approach will be brought to bear on those arrested for serious offences this weekend.
“Recurring violence at Notting Hill Carnival must prompt a discussion on public safety and the policing strategies required for such a large-scale public event going forward. The Mayor needs to urgently get a grip on London’s growing knife crime epidemic to prevent further tragedies in future”.
Speaking yesterday, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan, who is in charge of the policing operation for the event, claimed officers “very narrowly avoided a fatality” and were “tired of seeing crime scenes” at the street party.
Calling for carnival-goers to report crime, Adelekan said: “Yesterday we saw the first day marred by unacceptable violence. Three people were stabbed and we only very narrowly avoided a fatality.”