WON'T TAKE LECTURES
Priti Patel reveals the racist abuse she suffered as she vows to bring violent BLM ‘thugs’ to justice
PRITI Patel has revealed the racist abuse she suffered as she vowed to bring violent BLM 'thugs' to justice.
The Home Secretary last night shared her own experiences of racism after being accused of not understanding people's anger.
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Labour's Florence Eshalomi had laid into Ms Patel and questioned if the Government were doing anything to deal with racism.
In a stunning rebuke, Ms Patel then laid bare her own experiences, and claimed Labour "effectively said that this government doesn't understand racial inequality".
She continued: "Well, on that basis, it must have been a very different home secretary who as a child was frequently called a P**i in the playground.
"A very different home secretary who was racially abused in the streets or even advised to drop her surname and use her husband's in order to advance her career.
"A different home secretary recently characterised in The Guardian newspaper as a fat cow with a ring through its nose - something that was not only racist but offensive, both culturally and religiously.
"This is hardly an example of respect, equality, tolerance or fairness.
"So, when it comes to racism, sexism, tolerance for social justice, I will not take lectures from the other side of the House."
It comes as:
- The Sun revealed the Government is watering down pledges to give all primary school children a month back at school
- Boris Johnson said last night Black Lives Matter protesters "cannot be ignored" but rioters must face the '"full force of the law"
- Minister Helen Whately had yet another car crash interview as she suggests the Government can blame scientists for the handling of covid-19 in care homes
- Scientists warned the anti-racism protests will have accelerated the spread of Covid-19
- Matt Hancock admitted schools could stay shut after the summer holidays to keep the coronavirus infection rate down
Her comments came as Ms Patel responded to the violent scenes that saw police chased through the streets of London by Black Lives Matter protesters as peaceful demonstrations turned sour.
The Home Secretary last night laid into the "thugs" who threw fireworks at police in Whitehall and damaged the statue of Britain's war hero.
She said: "This hooliganism is utterly indefensible.
"There is no justification for it, no excuse for pelting flares at brave officers, throwing bikes at police horses, attempting to disrespect the cenotaph, or vandalising the statue of Winston Churchill.
"The criminals responsible for these acts are betraying the cause they purport to serve.
"These protests are about justice, but in attacking our brave police they are acting in a wholly unjust way."
Ms Patel also promised everyone who attacked the officers would be prosecuted.
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Sunday's peaceful protests, which were spoiled by a minority of thugs, took place outside the US Embassy in a response to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last month.
Boris Johnson said the outrage over the death of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer in Minnesota had awakened an "incontrovertible, undeniable feeling of injustice" and he called for people to "work peacefully, lawfully, to defeat racism".
In a Twitter video message last night, he acknowledged the concerns of anti-racist protesters' are "founded on a cold reality".
He said leader "simply can't ignore" concerns that black, Asian and minority ethnic groups face discrimination in education, employment and criminal law.
However, he warned there would be consequences to like how damage property or harm the police.
Dramatic pictures show crowds holding up signs reading "Black Lives Matter" as they chant the name of the movement.
The past few days have seen activists in face masks holding placards reading "I can't breathe" to echo the final words of Floyd after held him down by kneeling on his neck.
Others have taken a kneel in solidarity with those of who have accused police of brutality on a global scale.
Protests in London and the rest of the UK have mostly been peaceful throughout the weekend.
They made their way to Whitehall across Vauxhall Bridge as the protest continues.
The Winston Churchill statue was defaced for a second day in a row during the protests in London.
Churchill's name was crossed out and in black spray paint 'was a racist' was written underneath.
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A further 4,000 people have descended on a gathering in Bristol and peaceful demonstrations are also being held in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Another will take place this evening in Oxford.
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Thugs who tarnished BLM protests will be treated with 'complete severity', warns Priti Patel
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