Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed that the British Army will not be involved in managing the widespread rioting across the UK. Speaking in Rotherham, where he serves as a local MP,

Healey emphasized that it is the responsibility of the police to handle such situations, stating that they currently have the necessary resources to do so.

In an interview with Sky News, Healey stressed the police's primary role in ensuring public safety. "The police are equipped to respond first," he said, "and they are capable of managing the situation."

Healey visited the site of a recent attack on a hotel housing asylum seekers in his Yorkshire and Humber constituency. He noted the strong support South Yorkshire Police received from forces in West Yorkshire, Cheshire, and even the British Transport Police.

Recent Violence and Public Response

The Defence Secretary condemned the violent response to the use of the hotel for asylum seekers, acknowledging public frustration but insisting that "nothing justifies the level of violence and disorder."

Healey's comments followed a call from Nigel Farage for the Army to intervene in the riots sparked by recent stabbings in Southport. Farage, expressing his dismay over the violence, attributed it to perceived "soft" policing during Black Lives Matter protests, which he claimed created a sense of "two-tier policing." He suggested a parliamentary recall to address these issues.

Calls for Army Intervention

Farage was not alone in his call for military assistance. Pastor Lorraine Jones Burrell also advocated for Army involvement, citing police resource limitations. "These thuggeries need to be contained and taken off the streets," she said, "and the police need help."

Meanwhile, Al Carns, the Minister for Veterans and People and a former Royal Marine, condemned the rioters in a social media post. "Those participating in rioting will be held accountable and face the full force of the law," he declared.

Despite these calls, Healey maintained that the situation remains within the police's capabilities and reaffirmed that military intervention is not on the table. Photo by Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street, Wikimedia commons.