Ex-Home Secretary Sajid Javid leads independent Southport riots review as source admits it is 'too simplistic to blame far-right'

A source close to Independent Commission told the People's Channel that Javid, and the inquiry's co-chairman, former Labour MP Jon Cruddas, wanted to dig deeper into the causes, which the Prime Minister was criticised for after blaming the "far-right".

“We want to look at the causes of the riots last summer in the wake of the murders in Southport," the source said.

"It’s just too simplistic to blame it on the far-right. We want to go deeper into the underlying causes of a lack of social cohesion and why so many people are telling their backs on authority.

“The aim is to speak to tens of thousands of people going into villages, towns and cities across the UK, using modern technologies, including AI, to hear from as many citizens as possible - and get an accurate picture for why so many communities feel disconnected from each other, even abandoned.

“The review will report back within 12 months. The review has the backing of Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch, but it is vital that it is independent of Government and seen to be so.

"It includes Commissioner’s from all political persuasions, including Reform, and none.”

• GB News joins Met's Flying Squad on raid - as phone firms urged to help end phone crime epidemic
• Met Police chief condemns Palestine Action as thousands of activists set to descend on London
• Police receive intelligence sparking fears of new active grooming gang targeting children

The commission is being facilitated by the Together Coalition founded by Brendan Cox, the husband of the Labour MP Jo Cox who was murdered by a far-right extremist.

Ex-Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas and former West Midlands Mayor Sir Andy Street will also join retired counter-terrorism tsar Dame Sara Khan among the panel's members.

Riots broke out across much of England and Northern Ireland after three girls were tragically stabbed by Southport killer Axel Rudakubana at a Taylor Swift-themed dance party last July.

Following a crackdown from No10, police arrested 1,804 people and brought forward 1,072 charges.

The majority of the offences related to public order offences.

Cruddas, who served as the MP for Dagenham & Rainham between 2001 and 2024, said the commission would seek to respond to one of “the most pressing and persistently neglected issues” facing Britain.

He added: “This won’t be a top-down exercise. Over the next year, we’ll be listening directly to people across the UK – drawing on their experiences to help shape practical, long-term answers to the forces pulling us apart.”

Fears about the rise of the so-called far-right emerged after false information spread on social media about the identity of Rudakubana.

Rioters targeted local mosques and even hotels housing asylum seekers.

Speaking after the outbreak of violence, Starmer said: "I utterly condemn the far-right thuggery we have seen this weekend.

"Be in no doubt: those who have participated in this violence will face the full force of the law.

"The police will be making arrests. Individuals will be held on remand. Charges will follow. And convictions will follow.

"I guarantee you will regret taking part in this disorder. Whether directly or those whipping up this action online, and then running away themselves. This is not protest. It is organised, violent thuggery."

Despite the Government not officially sponsoring the commission, the Ministry of Housing confirmed its support for the independent review.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government said: “We want to put an end to community division, which is why we are driving £15 million into towns and cities across the country through the Community Recovery Fund.

“This will provide vital support to areas affected by recent unrest – such as £5.6million for Southport to help rebuild the town.

“We are supportive of the work that the Together Coalition is undertaking, and we look forward to following the commission’s progress.”