May cancels holiday as pressure increases on Boris over riots

Monday, 8 August 2011 11:36 AM

By Ian Dunt Follow @IanDunt

The home secretary has cancelled the rest of her holiday so she can return to the UK to deal with the London riots.

The move will increase the pressure on London mayor Boris Johnson, who has been criticised in some quarters for staying away from London since the trouble began on Saturday night.

Mr Johnson seemed even less on top of the situation when he repeatedly called the man whose death triggered the riot by the wrong name.

The mayor's repeated insistence that he has control of the Met has exasperated those who now ask why he is not returning to learn more about allegations that it fundamentally mismanaged the violence on Saturday night.

Instead, Ms May will meet with acting Metropolitan police commissioner Tim Godwin to discuss the situation.

"Londoners have made clear that there are no excuses for violence, and I call on all members of local communities to work constructively with the police to help them bring these criminals to justice," she said.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: "We need calm but robust leadership and action in London now to prevent this disorder and criminality spreading to subsequent nights and continuing through the summer.

"A co-ordinated approach across London needs to draw a line and prevent disorder from spreading - this cannot be left to the already under pressure police alone."

Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg branded the riots "needless, opportunistic theft and violence" and said they were "completely unacceptable".

The deptu prime minister visited Tottenham with local MP David Lammy today.

“Lets be clear the violence we saw last night had absolutely nothing to do with the death of Mr Duggan," he said.

Mr Lammy added: "The scenes currently taking place in our community are not representative of the vast majority of people in Tottenham.

"Those who remember the destructive conflicts of the past will be determined not to go back to them.

"We already have one grieving family in our community and further violence will not heal that pain.

"True justice can only follow a thorough investigation of the facts."
 

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