Former South Thanet MP Craig Mackinlay has said those involved in the violent disorder following the killings of three little girls in Southport are not limited to extremists.
Mackinlay, who lost his arms and legs to sepsis, said that although the demonstrations were organised by the far-right, “normal people” are attending to voice their dissatisfaction with the state of the country.
Speaking to GB News on Chopper's Political Podcast, the former Common Sense Group Tory said: “If the far right are that good at organising things then they’re far better at organising things than any political party or Government that I know in the UK. So I actually don’t believe it fully.
“There’s always going to be some nutters, and they should be dealt with very robustly, and they should be in prison where appropriate.
'These are NOT Far Right rallies... plenty of normal people are equally angry' - Tory peer warns Starmer
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"I’m fully in favour of all of that. But if you look at some of these rallies that are going on, there are lots of couples on these rallies that you’d expect to go and see in the Dog and Duck on a Friday afternoon. These are normal people.”
He added: “This is almost one of those moments where I think a lot of people have said, forget what Southport was actually all about. It actually made people rather annoyed about the state of Britain today.”
Mackinlay, who stood down from the House of Commons after undergoing a quadruple amputation following a sepsis infection, appeared on GB News alongside fellow ex-Tory MP Greg Clark yesterday.
Anti-immigrant riots hit stemmed from Southport last week after three young girls were fatally stabbed by Axel Rudakubana.
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Protesters have tried to make their voice heard over immigration
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False rumours about the 17-year-old perpetrator spread online, leaving many feeling outraged.
More than 480 people have been arrested in connection with the unrest and a further 151 people were charged.
Sir Keir Starmer has claimed police must remain on "high alert" after violent protests failed to materialise on Wednesday.
However, the Prime Minister condemned the riots as being the act of "far right thugs".
Riots broke out in the UK Getty 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."
Starmer has looked to clamp down on rioters, with 58-year-old Derek Drummond receiving a three-year sentence after pleading guilty to punching PC Thomas Ball.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the ongoing riots classifying them as "far-right thuggery"PAHowever, the latest YouGov poll suggests the recent riots have ensured immigration has returned as the single biggest issue in the minds of British voters.
YouGov found immigration is the most commonly chosen "top issue", with 51 per cent of respondents selecting the matter.
The latest survey was the first time immigration topped the survey since 2016.
Concern about crime has also grown - hitting 39 per cent - while health dropped down to fourth on 36 per cent.
However, the economy remains the second biggest issue on 44 per cent.
