Claims that protests in the UK are subject to “two-tier policing” are unfounded and contribute to “a perception of unfairness which is not correct”, the former chief inspector of constabulary has warned.
Sir Thomas Winsor, whose role saw him oversee the efficiency of police services in England and Wales between 2012 and 2022, made the comments in response to allegations that right-wing protests are policed more harshly than left-wing ones.
It comes as violent unrest has broken out in parts of the UK, with the Prime Minister announcing on Monday that a so-called “standing army” of 6,000 specialist officers will be ready by the end of the week.
Asked on LBC with Nick Ferrari on Wednesday whether he saw evidence of selective policing during his time as chief inspector of constabulary, Sir Thomas replied: “No.”
“It doesn’t exist – policing is even handed,” he continued.
Sir Thomas said there is a “fundamental difference” between “noisy” pro-Palestine protests and “violent disorder that we see now”, adding that accusations of two-tier policing “increases a perception of unfairness which is not correct”.
More than 400 people have been arrested after disorder around England and Northern Ireland, according to police sources, with the number expected to rise in the coming days.
The violence was sparked by false claims about the identity of the teenager suspected of killing three young girls and injuring several others in a knife attack in Southport on July 29, and has seen shops looted and hotels housing asylum seekers attacked.
Sir Thomas also suggested there should be “criminal liability” for senior managers at social media companies that tolerate “harmful material” and incitement of crime on their websites.
“I think the Online Safety Act is a big step forward but it doesn’t go far enough.”
He added his 2018 State of Policing report had suggested some social media companies were now “significant pieces of public infrastructure” and “merely fining” them was not sufficient.
“I said there should be criminal liability for senior managers and that should be at the heart of a system of regulation,” he continued.
Sir Thomas took aim at comments made by Elon Musk, who called the Prime Minister “two-tier Keir” in a series of tweets on Tuesday and had previously written: “Why aren’t all communities protected in Britain?”
Those who break the law will feel the full force of the law. pic.twitter.com/FNCIw7tRzH
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) August 6, 2024
“Mr Musk, it seems to me, should stick to batteries, cars and rockets – because he’s very good at it – and leave to the UK authorities the job of dealing with the protection of the safety and security of our communities,” he said.
Former home secretary and Tory leadership contender Dame Priti Patel told GB News on Tuesday night that Sir Keir Starmer should recall Parliament to respond to claims of two-tier policing, which the Government denies.
She said: “The fact that that perception exists undermines public trust and confidence in our police. That’s not a good place to be.”
Communities minister Jim McMahon also rejected claims of two-tier policing on Times Radio on Wednesday but said he understands “where the narrative comes from”, particularly in relation to an incident in Birmingham where counter-protesters targeted a pub.
