Tory MP once slammed for wearing blackface says Black Lives Matters rioters ‘have it coming’ to them

A Conservative MP once involved in a ‘blackface’ scandal is facing criticism after saying ‘looters, arsonists and rioters’ in the US ‘have it coming’ after thousands of US citizens took to protest the death of George Floyd.

While likening racism to ‘cancer’, Tory MP Sir Desmond Swayne condemned the actions of some of those involved in civil unrest in America, during an email exchange which has been posted on social media.

Sir Desmond, who is the MP for New Forest West, Hants, said: ‘Racism is a cancer and I’m glad that the perpetrator (accused of murdering Mr Floyd) is on a murder charge.

‘Nevertheless, looters, arsonists and rioters have it coming.’

The email was in response to a British citizen, concerned about the threats by US president Donald Trump to bring in the military to deal with protesters who have taken to the streets across America over the death of Mr Floyd.

The protests broke out following the death of the 46-year-old, who suffered a cardiac arrest while being restrained by the neck in Minneapolis by a police officer – who has since been charged with murder.

Scenes of rioting and some incidents of looting have been reported along with large-scale peaceful protests, while police have been filmed firing rubber bullets and tear gas at protesters.

While likening racism to ‘cancer’, Sir Desmond Swayne (pictured) condemned the actions of ‘looters, arsonists and rioters’ in an email since posted on social media

Scenes of rioting and some incidents of looting have been reported along with large-scale peaceful protests, while police have been filmed firing rubber bullets and tear gas at protesters. Pictured: Riot police fire pepper balls and pepper spray at protesters in Denver

Scenes of rioting and some incidents of looting have been reported along with large-scale peaceful protests, while police have been filmed firing rubber bullets and tear gas at protesters. Pictured: Riot police fire pepper balls and pepper spray at protesters in Denver

The response from the Conservative MP, who last year was criticised after a photograph emerged of him ‘blacked up’ to go to a party as legendary soul singer James Brown, was met with criticism from the woman who originally sent him the email, which she posted on Twitter.

She said: ‘Disgusted by Desmond Swayne‘s response to my letter, asking if he will condemn Trump and  how he will address racial bias in this pandemic.

‘He is condoning Trump’s violence.’

Others also criticised the response, describing it as ‘ignorant’.

Another Twitter user, Leo Garcia, said: ‘This is appalling. He has not just failed to communicate his opinion professionally, but failed to think with any depth or clarity on a hugely important issue.

‘He should be ashamed of himself, and apologise immediately.’

But others defended him, with one Twitter user saying: ‘He gave an excellent response, well done your MP.’

Another said: ‘Fantastic response. Would have been better if he would have said “get stuffed”.’   

In October last year, Sir Desmond refused to apologise after a picture emerged of him dressing up as the soul legend James Brown.

In October last year, Sir Desmond refused to apologise after a picture emerged of him dressing up as the soul legend James Brown

In October last year, Sir Desmond refused to apologise after a picture emerged of him dressing up as the soul legend James Brown

Mr Swayne has said that he can’t deny it’s him in the snap, which shows him with a painted face.

It surfaced four days after the veteran politician said he dressed as the singer at a party celebrating the film Blues Brothers, in which the star appeared. 

And it came after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologised after pictures emerged of him in ‘brownface’ as Aladdin.

The MP also lashed out at political correctness on his blog, adding the best response is to ‘laugh at it’.  

He said: ‘I suspect that Justin Trudeau’s cringing apology for blacking himself “blinded by his own white privilege” has done him rather more harm than the original offence. It was a themed “Arabian Nights” fancy-dress party for heaven’s sake!

‘It comes to something when you can’t dress-up as Aladdin without attracting the opprobrium of the ‘great and good’.’  

He added that he would have done better to have said it was an entirely acceptable ‘bit of fun’ and refused to apologise.

‘I once went to a ‘Blues Brothers’ themed fancy-dress party as James Brown. I went to some trouble to be as authentic as possible.

‘I can assure readers of this column that I have no intention of apologising. Constituents often write to me having been infuriated by some latest absurdity of political correctness. I tell them that the best response is simply to laugh at it.’

Sir Desmond was later defended by the daughter of singer James Brown – whom he said he had tried to dress up.

Deanna Brown Thomas, 50, said her late father would not have been insulted by Sir Desmond’s actions.

The Tory (pictured) has refused to apologise after Justin Trudeau said sorry for a picture showing him dressed as Aladdin

The Tory has refused to apologise after Justin Trudeau said sorry for a picture showing him dressed as Aladdin (pictured)

The Tory (left) has refused to apologise after Justin Trudeau said sorry for a picture showing him dressed as Aladdin (right) 

Deanna Brown Thomas, 50, said her late father would not have been insulted by Desmond Swayne's actions

Sir Desmond pictured at the Tory Party conference in Manchester on Tuesday

But Deanna Brown Thomas (left), 50, said her late father would not have been insulted by Desmond Swayne’s (right) actions

‘I understand the hurt that some people may feel because of the history of blackface,’ said Mrs Brown Thomas.  

‘But I do not believe my father would be offended. He would have been understanding about the costume.’

She also told the Daily Telegraph: ‘I look at it as going to a Halloween party.

‘If it’s a themed party, you dress up in the theme. He chose my dad. I can’t say he made a bad choice. He’s probably a big fan.’

Today at least 15,000 Black Lives Matter protesters including actor John Boyega and singer Liam Payne gathered in London as a show of anger against the death of Mr Floyd in the US.

And at least 2,000 of those demonstrated in front of Downing Street, shouting ‘take a knee’ at Metropolitan Police officers guarding security gates.

Four officers obliged, to the approval of the crowds, who urged other officers to follow the example of their colleagues.

The ‘take a knee’ movement started in the US with NFL star Colin Kaepernick and has become a symbol of anger and solidarity against racism across the world.

The 'take a knee' movement started in the US with NFL star Colin Kaepernick. Pictured: Protesters kneel in front of police during a Black Lives Matter protest in Hyde Park

The ‘take a knee’ movement started in the US with NFL star Colin Kaepernick. Pictured: Protesters kneel in front of police during a Black Lives Matter protest in Hyde Park

The former San Francisco 49ers star (pictured centre) started the movement during his time in the NFL and it has become a symbol of anger and solidarity against racism across the world

The former San Francisco 49ers star (pictured centre) started the movement during his time in the NFL and it has become a symbol of anger and solidarity against racism across the world

Two London policeman take the knee outside Downing Street today as thousands gathered in the capital's streets to protest the death of American George Floyd

Two London policeman take the knee outside Downing Street today as thousands gathered in the capital’s streets to protest the death of American George Floyd

In the US, officers recently started taking a knee in support of protesters following days of unrest after Mr Floyd’s killing at the hands of police.

There were pockets of anger among the crowd, however, with protesters chanting ‘f** Boris’ and ‘f** Trump’.

At least three missiles were thrown at police lines, with one officer punched and at least one demonstrator arrested.

A cameraman was struck by a glass bottle and was pictured having his wound tended to by police.

However, the abuse was sporadic, with the crowd largely shouting down the culprits during the demonstration outside Downing Street.

Huge crowds had gathered in Hyde Park this afternoon as many campaigners wore face coverings and held signs with messages such as ‘Please, I can’t breathe’, ‘BLM’ and ‘Colour ≠ Crime’.

The rally comes as global demonstrations gather pace following the death of 46-year-old black man Mr Floyd who died after white police officer Derek Chauvin put his knee on his neck for nine minutes in Minneapolis on May 25.

Today, Star Wars actor Boyega told the crowd: ‘Black lives have always mattered. We have always been important. We have always meant something. We have always succeeded regardless. And now is the time. I ain’t waiting.’

Star Wars actor John Boyega took part in the anti-racism demonstration in London today

Star Wars actor John Boyega took part in the anti-racism demonstration in London today

It came after Prime Minister Boris Johnson today as he insisted ‘black lives matter’ and condemned the ‘sickening’ death of Mr Floyd.

Police were generally keeping in the background of the protest while their helicopters circled above. Banners included ‘Enough is Enough’, ‘Remember Smiley Culture’, ‘Remember Cherry Groce’, and ‘UK is not innocent’.

‘We are are appalled and horrified’: Full statement from UK chief constables on George Floyd protests 

‘We stand alongside all those across the globe who are appalled and horrified by the way George Floyd lost his life. Justice and accountability should follow.

‘We are also appalled to see the violence and damage that has happened in so many US cities since then. Our hearts go out to all those affected by these terrible events and hope that peace and order will soon be restored.

‘In the UK we have a long established tradition of policing by consent, working in communities to prevent crime and solve problems. Officers are trained to use force proportionately, lawfully and only when absolutely necessary. We strive to continuously learn and improve. We will tackle bias, racism or discrimination wherever we find it.

‘Policing is complex and challenging and sometimes we fall short. When we do, we are not afraid to shine a light on injustices or to be held to account.

‘The relationship between the police and the public in the UK is strong but there is always more to do. Every day, up and down the country, officers and staff are working to strengthen those relationships and address concerns. Only by working closely with our communities do we build trust and help keep people safe.

‘We know people want to make their voices heard. The right to lawful protest is key part of any democracy, which UK police uphold and facilitate. But coronavirus remains a deadly disease and there are still restrictions in place to prevent its spread, which include not gathering outside in groups of more than six people. So for whatever reason people want to come together, we ask that people continue to work with officers at this challenging time.’ 

After leaving Hyde Park, the protesters clambered onto traffic lights as they marched down Park Lane towards Victoria.  

They then rallied in Parliament Square in the heart of Westminster where some of the demonstrators climbed up a statue of wartime prime minister Winston Churchill.

Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds blared out on a loudspeaker. One protester wore a Colin Kaepernick shirt after the black American footballer who started the knee protest in the US. Thousands of demonstrators at times went down on one knee chanting ‘George Floyd, George Floyd.’

It comes after UK chief constables joined forces to say they were ‘appalled and horrified’ by the death and called for ‘justice and accountability’, while warning those attending protests to do so while maintaining a safe distance.

Separately, anti-racism campaign group Stand Up to Racism urged Britons to ‘take the knee’ on their doorsteps at 6pm tonight for a protest against discrimination which is also backing the Black Lives Matter movement.

The protest in London, which come after days of intense protests and riots in America, took place as it was announced that all four of the officers involved in Mr Floyd’s death have now been charged and face 40 years behind bars.   

Thomas Lane, J.A. Kueng and Tou Thao were all present when Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck in Minneapolis on Monday for eight minutes and 46 seconds.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Minnesota AG charged the trio with aiding and abetting second degree murder which carries a maximum sentence of 40 years.

Chauvin was originally charged with second degree murder which carries a maximum sentence of 25 years but he now faces 40 years behind bars too after being hit with an additional charge of second degree murder.

The new charge also alleges that he intentionally killed Floyd, without premeditation, whereas the old charge suggested it was unintentional.

The charges come after a week of global outrage and civil unrest across America during which millions called for the officers to be brought to justice.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon: ‘I strongly believe these developments are in the interest of justice for Mr Floyd, his family, this community and this state.’

The Floyd family called the charges a ‘bittersweet moment’.