Davey on Southport attacks one year on: We are a caring country not one of thuggery

EMBARGO: 00:01 Tuesday 29 July 

Reflecting on the one year anniversary of the Southport attacks, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said:

"Today especially, we hold in our hearts Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice da Silva Aguiar.

"Three little girls, horrifyingly murdered at their Taylor Swift dance class in Southport. Three young lives, so cruelly cut short by a heartbreaking tragedy.

"Our thoughts are with their families and friends, who still grieve such a cruel loss.

"The lawless riots that followed appalled us. Egged on by hate preachers and conspiracy theorists, thugs resorted to appalling racism and violence, targeting some of the most vulnerable in our society.

"But last summer also saw the best of the British people. Everyone who came together with love and compassion to mourn the deaths of Bebe, Elsie and Alice. And all those who stood peacefully in solidarity against the riots. Who powerfully rejected racism and Islamophobia.

"That is who we are: a caring country, not a country of thuggery. A nation of laws and decency, not hate and lawlessness.

"As we grieve today – as we remember Bebe, Elsie and Alice – let us also remember that."

ENDS