UK politicians came up with a variety of responses to the Orlando hate-killings. They all expressed shock and extended sympathy to those directly affected. Only some went further and spoke out against the hate crime and expressed solidarity with the targeted community.
The Queen tweeted, “Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have been affected.”
LABOUR
Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn MP’s first tweet as the news broke was: “Horrific news from Orlando, Florida. My thoughts are with the victims’ families and friends.” On Monday, he attended a vigil in Soho, tweeting: “I’ve come to Soho to stand in solidarity with the LGBT community at vigil for the victims of the Orlando massacre.” “We remember that nobody should leave home on a Saturday night never to return because of who they are.”
Hilary Benn MP, Labour’s Shadow Foreign Secretary, issued a quick tweet as the news broke: “Thoughts are with the families of those killed and the injured in appalling attack in Orlando.” He later tweeted: “This was a shocking and appalling attack on members of the LGBT community in Orlando. All our thoughts are with the families of those killed and the injured, as we stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of the United States in opposing such murderous hatred.”
Kate Green MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities, issued the following statement on behalf of the Labour Party: “People all over the world have been rocked by this terrible act of terror and homophobic hatred in Orlando, the worst atrocity carried out against the LGBT community in US history. “It is a sickening reminder that to be LGBT still means you can be a target for hatred. “We need assurances from the government ahead of Pride celebrations taking place up and down the country this month that our police and security services have the resources they need to ensure the safety of those attending. “It is appalling that despite all the hard won progress made on LGBT rights and freedoms over the last decade that once again this community is subject to fear of violence and hate attacks. “Vigils for the victims of the Orlando attack and demonstrations of solidarity against homophobia and terror will be taking place across the country. “To our LGBT friends, family members, colleagues and communities all over the world – we stand with you. “We will continue the fight for you to live openly and without fear.”
Sadiq Khan, the new Labour Mayor of London, tweeted: “I stand with the City of Orlando against hate and bigotry. My thoughts are with all the victims of this horrific attack.”
CONSERVATIVE
Tory Leader and Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: “I’m horrified by reports of the overnight shooting in Orlando. My thoughts are with the victims and their families.”
George Osborne, Chancellor, tweeted: “Appalled by the unspeakable events in Orlando. We stand with our friends against those who peddle hate and terror.”
SNP
Nicola Sturgeon MSP, Leader of the Scottish National Party and Scotland’s First Minister, tweeted: “No words can convey my horror and sadness. Just want to express heartfelt sympathy for all those affected. #Orlando.”
LOCAL POLITICIANS
Rushanara Ali MP posted several tweets about the “remain” campaign over the weekend. Although she did not tweet about Orlando herself, she retweeted President Obama’s statement, in which he said “This was an act of terror and act of hate”.
Jim Fitzpatrick MP tweeted on Saturday that he was pleased to have gone to the Trooping of the Colour [in celebration of the Queen’s birthday]. He did not tweet about Orlando as the news broke.
John “one job” Biggs, mayor of Tower Hamlets, did not tweet an immediate response to the killings, but did tweet to point out that the Pride flag was being flown over the Town Hall “in solidarity with #Orlando victims and families”.
Deputy Mayor Cllr Sirajul Islam did not tweet about Orlando and nor did Deputy Mayor Cllr Rachael Saunders. As the Soho vigil was held, Deputy Mayor Cllr Shiria Khatun tweeted: “Listening 2 survivors of the Orlando nightclub shooting on news. Got tears in my eyes. My heart goes out 2 the families of those killed.” She also retweeted John Biggs’s tweet about the flag over the town hall.
Cllr Rabina Khan tweeted: “Thoughts and prayers with the families of those killed and affected in the #Orlando shooting.”
THE NUTTY RIGHT WING
Former Tory Mayor of London Boris Johnson MP found time to tweet about celebrating the Queen’s 90th birthday by going to a tea dance, but has not tweeted about Orlando.
Nigel Farage MEP did not tweet about the incident.
“Leave EU”, which is supported by Nigel Farage but is not the official “leave” campaign tweeted a poster based on the slogan: “Act now before we see an Orlando-style atrocity here before too long.” It claimed that the “free movement of Kalashnikovs in Europe helps terrorists.” After several protests were made from across the political spectrum, the Tweet was deleted.
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