Jo Cox's husband has accused Nigel Farage of being 'Tommy Robinson in a suit' (Image: Getty)
Nigel Farage has been accused of being "Tommy Robinson in a suit" by murdered MP Jo Cox's husband after comments made by Reform UK's leader about the fatal stabbings in Southport.
In a video posted on social media just after 5.30pm on Tuesday (July 30), Mr Farage said he joined everybody in his horror at what happened in Southport, noting how Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was heckled on a visit to the resort town.
He continued: "It shows you how unhappy the public are with the state of law and order in our country. I have to say there are one or two questions. Was this guy being monitored by the security services? Some reports say he was, others less sure.
"The police say it's a non-terror incident, just as they said the stabbing of an Army Lieutenant Colonel in uniform on the streets of Kent the other day was a non-terror incident.
"I just wonder whether the truth is being withheld from us. I don't know the answer to that, but I think it is a fair and legitimate question."
Merseyside Police said earlier this week the motive for the attack was unclear but the force does not believe it to be terror-related. A boy, 17, who cannot be named because of his age, remains in custody accused of murder and attempted murder.
READ MORE Rioting thugs have no respect for the grieving Southport families
Get the latest politics news straight to your phone Join us on WhatsApp Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Almost 40 police officers were injured in a night of violence on Southport's streets (Image: PA Images)
Brendan Cox, whose wife Jo Cox was murdered by a far-right terrorist in 2016, told the BBC: "It's right out of the Trump playbook, and in my view it makes Nigel Farage nothing better than a Tommy Robinson in a suit.
"It is beyond the pale to use a moment like this to spread your narrative and to spread your hatred and we saw the results on Southport's streets last night."
Mr Cox claimed in his remarks that Mr Farage had also whipped up a crowd which clashed with police in Southport, saying: " The fact that Nigel Farage whipped up that crowd, whipped up that sentiment, I think should make us all reconsider in what basket we put him.
"For me, it puts him on the wrong side of the line, not a credible politician, but someone willing to use awful events and hatred and undermine the community, the communities in which we live."
Dozens of locals arrived outside a mosque in Southport on Wednesday (July 31) to help clean up after a night of rioting in the town in which almost 40 police officers were injured.
Merseyside's Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell told Good Morning Britain on Wednesday morning there is a "strong feeling" members of the far-right group, English Defence League, used the stabbings in Southport to "whip up hatred" and "incite violence".
Don't miss...
Outrage as Labour makes 'crazy move' in plot to bring UK closer to EU [REVEALED]
Rob Jenrick launches Tory leadership with radical pledges on migrants and ECHR [LATEST]
'Heartless' Rachel Reeves strips 10 million pensioners of winter fuel payments [REPORT]
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Brendan Cox claims Nigel Farage whipped up the crowd (Image: Getty)
In response to Mr Cox's claim he whipped up rioters, Mr Farage said: "Absolutely disgraceful comment, nothing of the kind. I merely expressed a sense of sadness and concern that is being felt by absolutely everybody I know - what the hell is going on?
"It started off the week before in Kent, when a Lieutenant Colonel in full military uniform is stabbed in the street and I was told that Kent Police wanted to play the incident down. I got that on the highest level. So I think it's quite legitimate to ask questions as to what the hell is going on.
"And then of course we had Southend at the same time with machete gangs fighting in the streets... I think it's perfectly reasonable to ask what is happening to law and order in our country.
"And who are the perpetrators? Why? Very legitimate questions I was asking, and to conflate that with EDL or anybody else, frankly, it's desperate stuff."
Asked about Mr Cox saying he is "nothing better than Tommy Robinson in a suit", the Clacton MP added: "The comment is beneath contempt."
Trending
Meanwhile, the Muslim Council of Britain said it will "stand firm" against "forces of hatred and division" in the wake of the riot outside the Southport mosque.
The MCB paid tribute to the three young girls killed at a yoga-dance class, before condemning "shocking scenes of far-right rioters running amok outside a mosque".
It said an Islamaphobic backlash began with a false rumour on the internet which was then stoked by misinformation from a Russian news site which wrongfully associated the crime with Muslims.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Tommy Robinson claims 100,000 attended his march as BAME marchers say why they went
157 Comments
Southport rioter hit in privates by brick thrown by own side in chaotic clip
42 Comments
Southport stabbings: Man 'with knife and wearing balaclava arrested' near vigil
Comments
Taylor Swift fans raise thousands for Southport victims in poignant gesture
Comments
Tommy Robinson 'has fled the country' court hears after huge march
Comments
Heroic window cleaner saved children from Southport attacker at Taylor Swift dance class
219 Comments
Southport riots: Panic as 'gardens and cars destroyed' in night of violence
Comments
Southport riots: Mum of stabbing victim at Taylor Swift dance class issues plea to rioters
Comments
Southport stabbing protest: Violent thugs split man's head open with a brick during riot
166 Comments
Why Gen Z voters are shifitng to the right - an expert explains
185 Comments
Mum of Southport stabbing victim, nine, only found out about Taylor Swift club days before
Comments
Southport stabbings: Keir Starmer heckled as furious local asks 'how many more children?'
1646 Comments
Southport stabbing: Why police haven't named boy, 17, arrested on suspicion of murder
Comments
Southport stabbings: Suspect ‘born in Britain after parents moved to UK from Rwanda'
Comments
Nigel Farage's five-word response as he's called ‘Tommy Robinson in a suit' over Southport
295 Comments
Reform UK civil war as Ben Habib refuses to back Nigel Farage over Southport comments
3 Comments
Southport riot: 39 police officers and three dogs injured after protesters attack mosque
204 Comments
Tommy Robinson facing jail after playing bombshell film on day of violent London protests
746 Comments
Tommy Robinson protest LIVE: Police on alert ahead of protest and Corbyn counter-demo
3230 Comments
Rioting thugs have no respect for the grieving Southport families, Yvette Cooper blasts
795 Comments
Tommy Robinson claims 100,000 attended his march as BAME marchers say why they went
157 Comments
Southport rioter hit in privates by brick thrown by own side in chaotic clip
42 Comments
Southport stabbings: Man 'with knife and wearing balaclava arrested' near vigil
Comments
Taylor Swift fans raise thousands for Southport victims in poignant gesture
Comments
Tommy Robinson 'has fled the country' court hears after huge march
Comments
Heroic window cleaner saved children from Southport attacker at Taylor Swift dance class
219 Comments
Southport riots: Panic as 'gardens and cars destroyed' in night of violence
Comments
Southport riots: Mum of stabbing victim at Taylor Swift dance class issues plea to rioters
Comments
Southport stabbing protest: Violent thugs split man's head open with a brick during riot
166 Comments
Why Gen Z voters are shifitng to the right - an expert explains
185 Comments
Mum of Southport stabbing victim, nine, only found out about Taylor Swift club days before
Comments
Southport stabbings: Keir Starmer heckled as furious local asks 'how many more children?'
1646 Comments
Southport stabbing: Why police haven't named boy, 17, arrested on suspicion of murder
Comments
Southport stabbings: Suspect ‘born in Britain after parents moved to UK from Rwanda'
Comments
Nigel Farage's five-word response as he's called ‘Tommy Robinson in a suit' over Southport
295 Comments
Reform UK civil war as Ben Habib refuses to back Nigel Farage over Southport comments
3 Comments
Southport riot: 39 police officers and three dogs injured after protesters attack mosque
204 Comments
Tommy Robinson facing jail after playing bombshell film on day of violent London protests
746 Comments
Tommy Robinson protest LIVE: Police on alert ahead of protest and Corbyn counter-demo
3230 Comments
Rioting thugs have no respect for the grieving Southport families, Yvette Cooper blasts
795 Comments
Tommy Robinson claims 100,000 attended his march as BAME marchers say why they went
157 Comments
Southport rioter hit in privates by brick thrown by own side in chaotic clip
42 Comments
Southport stabbings: Man 'with knife and wearing balaclava arrested' near vigil
Comments
Taylor Swift fans raise thousands for Southport victims in poignant gesture
Comments
Tommy Robinson 'has fled the country' court hears after huge march
Comments
Heroic window cleaner saved children from Southport attacker at Taylor Swift dance class
219 Comments
Southport riots: Panic as 'gardens and cars destroyed' in night of violence
Comments
The Muslim umbrella body linked Tuesday's riots with a march and rally in London of supporters of Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon. The MCB said the crowds were "openly spewing invective against Muslim communities".
One of the UK's most prominent far-right activists, Mr Yaxley-Lennon this week fled the country amid a contempt of court proceeding at the High Court.
Related articles Riot van set alight and officer injured in Southport clash with 'EDL supporters' Carol Vorderman sparks backlash on LBC as furious caller slams Labour Huw Edwards 'splits' from wife after indecent images of children charge Man 'with knife and wearing balaclava' arrested near Southport vigil Police officers attacked as mob with machetes spark mass panic while cops swarm