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‘Looters and arsonists have it coming’: Tory MP refuses to condemn Trump's response to protesters

Protesters march from Bryant Park to Trump Tower against police brutality and in favor of the Black Lives Matter Movement in New York, NY on June 2, 2020. Protests are taking place across the country after the death of George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis was filmed by a bystander. A curfew was set today for 8:00 PM in New York City after yesterday's curfew of 11:00 PM was set for the first time in over seventy years. (Photo by Christopher Lazzaro/Alive Coverage/Sipa USA)
Protesters against police brutality march from Bryant Park to Trump Tower in New York City. (PA)

A Tory MP has refused to criticise Donald Trump’s response to widespread protests in the US over the death of George Floyd.

Desmond Swayne, who represents New Forest West, was asked to comment on the protests by one of his constituents.

In emails seen by Yahoo News UK, Swayne was asked to “show support to the black members of the New Forest community” by helping to instigate the “suspension of UK sales of teargas, riot shields and rubber bullets to the US”.

He was also asked to condemn “Trump’s use of force against his own citizens” after the US president pressed governors to put down violence sparked by Floyd's death.

DUSHANBE, TAJIKISTAN - FEBRUARY 17: British Minister of State for International Development Desmond Swayne meets Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon (not seen) during his official visit in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on February 17, 2016. (Photo by Tajikistan Presidency Press Office/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Desmond Swayne was asked to condemn Donald Trump's handling of protests in the US. (Getty)

Responding to the email, Swayne wrote: “Thanks. Sorry to disagree. Arsonists and looters have it coming.”

In another response to an email asking him to condemn Floyd’s death, Swayne responded: “Racism is a cancer, and I’m glad that the perpetrator is on a murder charge.

“Nevertheless, looters arsonists and rioters have it coming.”

Swayne’s comments were criticised by Labour MPs.

Jess Phillips said Swayne showed a “complete lack of thought or care”, while Florence Eshalomi tweeted: “Wow – what a response to a legitimate question from a constituent.

Read more: Where are Black Lives Matter protests taking place in the UK?

“I’m sorry your MP doesn’t seem to be able to show solidarity towards condemning racism and injustice with the local and national black community.”

Yahoo News UK has contacted Desmond Swayne’s office for a comment.

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been charged with third-degree murder relating to Floyd’s death.

Protests quickly erupted in the US after footage of Floyd being arrested went viral.

Read more: Overwhelming majority of Britons think America is racist, poll reveals

Most protests passed peacefully on Tuesday night, and while there were scattered reports of looting in New York, the country appeared calmer than it did a day earlier, when violence swept through multiple cities.

One day after a crackdown on peaceful protesters near the White House, thousands of demonstrators massed a block away from the presidential mansion, facing law enforcement personnel standing behind a black chain-link fence.

People hug as demonstrators gather to protest the death of George Floyd, Tuesday, June 2, 2020, near the White House in Washington. Floyd died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
People hug as demonstrators gather to protest the death of George Floyd near the White House in Washington. (AP)
Protesters throw a burning object at advancing law enforcement officials on Centennial Olympic Park Drive at Olympic Park, Tuesday, June 2, 2020, in Atlanta, after curfew during a fifth day of protests over the death of George Floyd. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Protesters throw a burning object at advancing law enforcement officials in Atlanta. (AP)

The fence was put up overnight to block access to Lafayette Park, just across the street from the White House.

The crowd remained in place after the city's 7pm curfew passed, defying warnings that the response from law enforcement could be even more forceful.

With the White House in the background, a line of police forms behind a fence in Lafayette Park as demonstrators gather to protest the death of George Floyd, Tuesday, June 2, 2020, near the White House in Washington. Floyd died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
With the White House in the background, a line of police forms behind a fence in Lafayette Park as demonstrators gather to protest the death of George Floyd. (AP)

But the protest lacked the tension of previous demonstrations. According to news agency AP, the crowd on Tuesday night was peaceful and polite.

At one point, the crowd booed when a protester climbed a light post and took down a street sign. A chant went up: "Peaceful protest!

Tuesday’s demonstrations followed Trump demanding that New York call up the National Guard to stop what he termed the "lowlifes and losers".

The president amplified his hard-line calls from Monday, when he threatened to send in the military to restore order if governors did not do it.

"NYC, CALL UP THE NATIONAL GUARD," he tweeted. "The lowlifes and losers are ripping you apart. Act fast!”

Protests have spread across the US, including in Los Angeles, Miami, Columbia, South Carolina and Houston, where the police chief talked to peaceful demonstrators, vowing reforms.

More than 20,000 National Guard members have been called up in 29 states to deal with violence.