RIOTERS STORM MIGRANT HOTEL

PM: 'YOU WILL REGRET TAKING PART IN FAR-RIGHT THUGGERY'

- Michael Knowles, Chris Riches and Christian Calgie

A FAR-RIGHT mob who attempted to burn down a hotel housing migrants and asylum seekers were condemned by politicians from all sides.

Sir Keir Starmer described their behaviour as "organised, violent thuggery" and said they would "regret taking part" when they "face the full force of the law".

Tory leader Rishi Sunak said: "This is violent, criminal behaviour that has no place in our society." Sir Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, said the rioters "have disgraced themselves".

In shameful scenes, the thugs smashed their way into the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham after hurling metal barriers, bricks and bottles at police. At least 10 officers were injured. Yobs screamed "burn it down" as hotel bins were set ablaze with children, women and men trapped inside the building.

Observers said it was an "ongoing attempt to murder" the people housed there. Last night a second Holiday Inn housing migrants was targeted in Tamworth as rioters set fire to part of the building and threw missiles at police.

The Prime Minister will today chair the Cobra emergencies group to co-ordinate the response to the week-old crisis as critics asked why it had taken him until now to act.

Masks

The wave of rumour-fuelled violence erupted after the killing of three young girls in Southport.