Police made 11 arrests in Liverpool protests
Police made 11 arrests in Liverpool following a protest by UKIP and a counter-protest on Saturday.
People from different groups gathered outside St George’s Hall from around 11am this morning and there was a large police presence to ensure the safety of all those taking part and the wider public.
A march by UKIP began at around 1.20pm, but shortly afterwards the procession was directed back to St George’s Hall.
Police said they respect the rights of everyone to take part in a lawful and peaceful protests, but never tolerate acts of criminality or anti-social behaviour.
Arrests were made for offences including being drunk and disorderly, assault and affray.
Superintendent Karl Baldwin said: “We will never tolerate acts of criminality or anti-social behaviour and despite the vast majority of people protesting lawfully, and peacefully, sadly there were a number of people who were arrested for various offences, including public order offences and assault.”
He added: “The police are often faced with the challenge of treading the fine line between upholding everyone’s rights to protest equitably, whilst endeavouring to keep the peace and ensure the public are safe. We plan ahead, in a co-ordinated way, to ensure we do this consistently, fairly and proportionately.
“We would like to thank members of the public and businesses in the city centre for their patience during the course of this event.”
Rebecca Whittaker24 August 2025 01:00
Watch: Rival protest groups face off during migrant hotel demonstrations across the UK Rival protest groups face off during migrant hotel demonstrations across the UK
Rebecca Whittaker24 August 2025 00:01
Closing asylum hotels must be orderly, Cooper says amid Government legal bid
Rebecca Whittaker23 August 2025 23:30
Government plans to set up a new independent panel focused on asylum appeals to help reduce the backlog
There are about 51,000 asylum appeals waiting to be heard, taking on average more than a year to reach a decision.
As measures have been put in place to speed up initial decisions, court delays over appeals are now thought to be the biggest cause of pressure in the asylum accommodation system.
The Government plans to set up a new independent panel focused on asylum appeals to help reduce the backlog.
The new independent body will use professionally-trained adjudicators, rather than relying on judges.
Ministers are introducing a new 24-week deadline for the first-tier tribunal to determine asylum appeals by those receiving accommodation support and appeals by foreign offenders.
But they believe the current tribunal system, which covers a wide range of different cases, is still failing to ensure failed asylum seekers can be returned as swiftly as possible, nor can it accommodate a fast-track system for safe countries.
The Government will set out further details of plans for asylum system reforms in the autumn, drawing on lessons from other European countries which have faster appeals systems – including some which run independent appeals bodies similar to the one being proposed.
Rebecca Whittaker23 August 2025 23:27
Government promises asylum appeals overhaul as hotel protests continue
A new fast-track asylum appeals process will be introduced to speed up the process of removing people with no right to be in the UK, Yvette Cooper has promised, amid protests about the use of hotel accommodation for migrants.
There are about 51,000 asylum appeals waiting to be heard, taking on average more than a year to reach a decision.
The Home Secretary said the overhaul would result in a system which is “swift, fair and independent, with high standards in place”.
She said: “We inherited an asylum system in complete chaos with a soaring backlog of asylum cases and a broken appeals system with thousands of people in the system for years on end.
“That is why we are taking practical steps to fix the foundations and restore control and order to the system.
“We are determined to substantially reduce the number of people in the asylum system as part of our plan to end asylum hotels.
“Already since the election we have reduced the backlog of people waiting for initial decisions by 24 per cent and increased failed asylum returns by 30 per cent.
“But we cannot carry on with these completely unacceptable delays in appeals as a result of the system we have inherited which mean that failed asylum seekers stay in the system for years on end at huge cost to the taxpayer.”
Rebecca Whittaker23 August 2025 23:25
‘Our migrant community deserve protection’, says Stand Up to Racism protester
Emma Taylor-Beale, who is protesting for Stand Up to Racism in Horley said: “I’ve got a heart for anyone who’s got a need and our migrant community deserve protection, they deserve dignity, they’ve been through enough.”
She said she was not surprised at the number of anti-immigration protesters that had turned out to the demonstration, given what she had seen on social media.
Ms Taylor-Beale said: “This time last year when we had the riots in the summer, all of us showing support were the massive majority in Brighton and in Crawley, and the far-right were there, but they weren’t like the members of the public.
“This isn’t just the far-right, you can’t label everyone on that side who’s come out as far-right, I think people are buying into lies, they’re angry, they’re hurt and people have got a reason to be angry right now.”
She argued that economic inequality and the housing crisis was at the root of the divide.
Rebecca Whittaker23 August 2025 23:00
Protesters clash outside asylum hotels as tensions over migration flare
Rebecca Whittaker23 August 2025 22:30
Watch: Rival protesters face off in Portsmouth as migrant hotel demonstrations staged in cities across EnglandRival protesters face off in Portsmouth as migrant hotel demonstrations staged in cities across England
Rebecca Whittaker23 August 2025 22:00
Pro-asylum and anti-immigration protesters meet at Hampton Hotel in Aberdeen
Both anti-immigration and counter-protesters gathered in front of a Hampton Hotel in a suburban area, on the edge of Aberdeen.
With about 70 protesters on each side separated by fencing, counter protesters’ chants of “send them home” are met with jeers and claps from the pro-asylum protesters.
The Times reported one man was draped in a Saltire flag and shouted “we’re not racist: you’re f***ing deluded”, while his opposition wave homemade signs that said “blame millionaires nae refugees” and “warfare is NOT family entertainment”.
Rebecca Whittaker23 August 2025 21:30
Starmer has to find a workable plan to ‘stop the boats’ or Farage will become prime minister
Rebecca Whittaker23 August 2025 21:00