Labour MP condemns Tamworth riots following 'migrant hotel' comments criticism

A Labour MP has slammed violence targeting asylum seekers in her constituency, including an attack on a hotel she mentioned in parliament days earlier.

Sarah Edwards, MP for Tamworth, described the riots at a Holiday Inn in the Midlands town as "shocking & disgraceful" on X, later releasing a statement further condemning the violence that targeted refugees housed at the hotel.

"It is not protest. It's not legitimate. It's a crime and violent disorder. An assault on the rule of law," she wrote.

"This behaviour will not be tolerated on our streets. Tamworth is a welcoming and caring community.

"Those who are intent on stoking disorder and division are not welcome and do not speak for Britain or for Tamworth."

It comes after a mob of far-right thugs attacked the Holiday Inn, smashing windows and attempting to start fires inside the the building.

Police protecting the hotel were attacked with missiles, fireworks, and petrol bombs leaving one officer injured with a broken arm. 

"It is fortunate that no one inside the hotel was injured, but rest assured those involved in the violence will face the full force of the justice system," said Edwards.

The Tamworth MP has faced calls to resign, after mentioning the same hotel in a speech to parliament on 30 July, saying her constituents "want their hotel back".

"In Tamworth the Holiday Inn has been used for asylum purposes for years and the simple reality is that residents want their hotel back. Tamworth benefits from local tourism and as I have said before in this Chamber, the Holiday Inn should be for holidays," she told MPs.

"I therefore welcome (the) announcement that the Border Security and Immigration Bill includes plans to end asylum hotel use."

The New Arab has approached the MP for comment but received no response by the time of publication.

Another Holiday Inn in Rotherham, was also targeted by a far-right mob on Sunday, with terrifying scenes of staff and guests huddled in the hotel as extremists pelted windows with stones and ignited fires.

Violence erupted last week following the killing of three children n Southport, North West England, with a 17-year-old detained in connection with the murders.

The suspect has been named as Axel Rudakubana, who was born in the UK and lived locally. There were false reports, widely circulated on social media, that the suspect was Muslim and came as a refugee.

Islamophobic and racist violence has erupted across the UK since then, with mosques, police, shops, and people of colour targeted by mobs.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged a tough response to the riots and dozens of people have already been arrested with many more being identified by police.