A man has been arrested after being filmed at a far-right rally allegedly calling for the assassination of UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. The incident, which was captured on video and circulated widely on social media, sparked outrage across the political spectrum and prompted swift action from counterterrorism authorities.
The footage shows a group of protesters gathered outside a civic building in northern England during what police described as an “unlawful demonstration” organized by a fringe far-right network. In the video, a man can be heard shouting threats aimed at the Prime Minister, including calls for him to be “shot.” The clip was viewed hundreds of thousands of times within hours, drawing condemnation from politicians, community leaders, and security experts.
Swift Police Action
Local police confirmed that the man, believed to be in his late 30s, was arrested under suspicion of making threats to kill and inciting violence. A statement released by the regional police force said, “We take all threats to life extremely seriously. Following a review of video evidence circulating online, a suspect was identified and taken into custody in a pre-dawn operation this morning.”
Counterterrorism officers are now leading the investigation, with a focus on determining whether the individual has links to organized extremist groups. Officials say they are also analyzing social media activity connected to the rally to identify any other participants who may have engaged in threatening or unlawful behavior.
Political Leaders Respond
Prime Minister Starmer addressed the incident during a press briefing, thanking police for their rapid response and calling for unity against political violence. “In a democracy, we can and should disagree passionately, but calls for violence have no place in our society,” he said.
Leaders of opposition parties echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of protecting elected officials from intimidation. Several MPs have recently expressed growing concern over the rise of violent rhetoric and harassment targeting public figures, warning that it risks undermining democratic debate.
Growing Concerns About Extremism
Experts say the incident highlights the continuing threat posed by far-right extremism in the UK. Dr. Claire Mason, a researcher on political violence, noted that online platforms have made it easier for extremist messages to spread rapidly and inspire real-world actions.
“The normalization of violent language against politicians is deeply worrying,” she said. “This arrest is a reminder that we cannot be complacent about the risk of radicalization, even if these groups remain relatively small.”
Community Reaction
Local community groups near the rally site condemned the demonstration and expressed concern about the potential for hate speech to escalate into real harm. “Our neighborhood prides itself on diversity and respect,” said a local councillor. “This kind of rhetoric does nothing but sow fear and division.”
Police have stepped up patrols in the area in the wake of the arrest and are working with local authorities to reassure residents.
Next Steps
The suspect remains in custody and is expected to be questioned further in the coming days. Prosecutors will determine whether to bring charges based on the evidence collected. Authorities have urged members of the public to report any similar threats they encounter online.
This case comes amid growing calls for tighter regulations on online platforms to curb violent content and protect public figures. The government is expected to face renewed pressure to accelerate its Online Safety Bill, which includes measures to hold tech companies accountable for hosting harmful material.
