The Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Donna Jones, came under fire over the weekend after she issued a statement on Saturday claiming that rioters are battling to protect Britain’s sovereignty, identity and stop illegal immigration.
Liz Jarvis, Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh said the comments from the PCC were divisive, inflammatory and grossly irresponsible and that her position was clearly untenable.
Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat MP for Winchester, Danny Chambers, said the PCC’s “extreme views” make her unsuitable to hold the position of power.
Statement disappeared then reappeared amended
Donna Jones had issued the first statement as Chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, as well as Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. This statement, published here in full, soon disappeared from the PCC’s website.
It reappeared a later on, but amended to reflect that Ms Jones was speaking just in her role as PCC and not as Chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners.
Jones: I stand by my statement issued yesterday
Speaking on the issue on Sunday , the Commissioner said,
“I want to be clear that the violence that has erupted across the UK this week has been criminal, unlawful and senseless.
“I stand by my statement issued yesterday where I called for calm, and for the country to work together stop this mindless, criminal behaviour.
“I fully support the police’s response to stem the growth of these riots and those acting outside of the law should expect to feel the full force of it.
“The violence we have seen has endangered our communities and infected lawful protest on a much broader issue.
“As a country this issue is something we should seek to understand without letting it divide us.
“I am confident there will be a time and place for that discussion in due course.”
View of IW MPs
OnTheWight has approached Isle of Wight MPs, Joe Robertson and Richard Quigley for their position on the PCC’s views.
Richard Quigley MP told OnTheWight,
“It’s extremely disappointing and verging on irresponsible for our Conservative PCC to play politics at a time like this.
“Her assertion of two tier policing doesn’t reflect my experience of our police force and if it were true, she’d be better explaining how she’s allowed that to happen on her watch.
“She’s certainly quick to claim the credit when our Police force perform well. Rather than sowing more division, we need to come together as a community and move on from what is clearly organised thuggery.”
Robertson: Now is the time to speak up for law and order
Joe Robertson MP told OnTheWight,
“Donna Jones is a hardworking and effective Police and Crime Commissioner and she is the best person to explain her own views. Speaking for myself I am appalled by the violence we have seen on British streets. I am sickened by footage of an angry mobs waving our national flags and, in at least one case, surrounding a hotel apparently accommodating refugees and asylum seekers – hurling objects, smashing windows and shouting intimidating chants.
“There may have been children and vulnerable adults in that building and the scenes outside must have been terrifying. Elsewhere police stations have been set alight, fireworks used as weapons and police officers injured.
“There is no excuse for this violent and criminal thuggery and it is not an appropriate backdrop for a debate about immigration or British values other than to say unequivocally, this behaviour is in direct opposition to British values of democracy, debate, respecting others, protecting minorities and the rule of law.
“Now is the time to speak up for law and order and support our brave police officers in bringing criminals to justice.”
Article edit
12.33pm 5th Aug 2024 – Comment from RQ added
5.40pm 5th Aug 2024 – Comment from JR added
Source: County Press
