The Belfast Riots Have Exposed the Real ‘Two Tier’ Britain

Racist rioters are defended and peaceful protesters are arrested. This week has exposed better than any other how our “two tier” political system really works

This week hundreds of masked men took to the streets of Belfast to burn down houses and terrorise the families of ethnic minorities and migrants.

The attacks were highly organised, with prominent public figures, including the richest man in the world, openly promoting and glorying in the violence online.

Yet despite all this widespread criminality and terror, just 19 individuals have so far been arrested, with multiple politicians and commentators openly defending those who took to the streets.

By contrast a largely peaceful demonstration outside Woolwich Crown court on Friday, against the conviction of four Palestine Action protesters, led to a total of 107 arrests.

In all cases those arrested had merely held up a placard, worn a t-shirt, or delivered a chant in support of the group.

They did not burn down a building, they did not throw a brick, they did not terrorise a family from their home.

Yet all of these people have been arrested and branded as terrorists, with barely a whisper uttered in their defence.

The contrast between how these two groups are now being treated is stark.

Here’s what it tells us about where the real “two tiers” in British justice, politics and journalism now really lie.