Report: From Hate Speech to Politically Motivated Violence: Far-Right Islamophobia in the UK

In recent weeks, the UK has seen the worst rioting it has witnessed since 2011, with over 1,000 arrests and almost 600 charges at the time of writing. However, this violence has not erupted in a vacuum. In reality, it is the product of racism and Islamophobia being increasingly normalised by politicians and the mainstream media over recent years.

For too long, the blame for high levels of unemployment, economic deprivation, the cost-of-living crisis, and the austerity-driven decimation of social and public services has been directed at migrants, Muslims, and other minority communities. This has only served to embolden racist ideologies and legitimise hatred through painting such misinformation as ‘legitimate grievances’.

The current violence must act as a critical warning for the UK to recognise and address the danger posed by the far-right, as well as the political, media, and online landscape that has propagated and maintained hateful ideologies across society.

As such, the following report seeks to explore the history, narratives, and strategies of the far-right in the UK. This allows us to offer recommendations that encompass legislative change, industry initiatives, and educational efforts to confront the dangers of the far-right that underpin the recent riots.

Read the full report: