United Kingdom: the leader of the opposition violently taken to task by demonstrators

The leader of the Labor opposition in the British Parliament, Keir Starmer, on January 26, 2022. AFP - JESSICA TAYLOR

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Last week, the British Prime Minister accused the leader of the opposition, Keir Starmer, former attorney general, of being responsible for the case of Jimmy Savile, an English celebrity accused of pedophilia by dozens of people and died without having been prosecuted.

Following this, Keir Starmer was violently attacked by demonstrators on Monday. 

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With our correspondent in London, 

“ 

 ” chanted dozens of demonstrators, some with fake gallows, taking opposition leader and former attorney general Keir Starmer to task.

Gathered against health restrictions, the crowd endorses the false accusations made by Boris Johnson in Parliament and verbally attacks the opposition leader.

For his own safety, Keir Starmer is then exfiltrated by the police.

Abhor.

This is how a totalitarian state begins.

Blatant, targeted and physical abuse against opposition members.

Then blatant, targeted and physical abuse against anyone who dares oppose them.

This is not fiction.

Nor even far fetched.

This, THIS is it.pic.twitter.com/DBclxpPxpH

— Dr. Jennifer Cassidy (@OxfordDiplomat) February 7, 2022

The incident was unanimously condemned by the political class, including by Boris Johnson who sees it as "

" and "

" - since 2016, two MPs have been murdered and dozens of others threatened .

The opposition asks for an apology

The opposition is calling on the Prime Minister on Tuesday to apologize and fully withdraw his accusations against Keir Starmer – even within the Conservative Party, several parliamentarians have denounced

, holding him responsible for a “drift Trumpian” of British politics.

A minister indicates that an apology is not planned.

Downing Street refuses to link the Prime Minister's comments to the attack on Keir Starmer.

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• UK

• Boris Johnson