‘Key organizer’ of far-right UK riots last year jailed for 7 1/2 years

Andrew McIntyre, 39, found guilty at Liverpool Crown Court of encouraging people to take part in unrest through Telegram channel

LONDON (AA) –

A man described as the prime orchestrator of last summer’s anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant race riots has been sentenced to seven and a half years in prison for using social media to incite racial tensions, violence, and disorder in various parts of the UK.

Andrew McIntyre, 39, was found guilty at Liverpool Crown Court of encouraging people to take part in the unrest through a Telegram channel he created called “Southport Wake Up.”

The court heard that McIntyre launched the channel in the wake of a knife attack in Southport, Merseyside, on July 29 of last year. The attack was erroneously attributed to Muslims, although the perpetrator did not belong to the Muslim community.

Prosecutors said McIntyre used the platform to spread misinformation and fan racial tensions, which Judge Flewitt said played a significant role in escalating the violence.

“You were prominent among those responsible for spreading misinformation after the Southport attack,” Judge Flewitt told McIntyre while announcing the sentence.

“You were motivated by racial hatred. I have no doubt your actions encouraged many people to plan and then to commit offences of both violent disorder and criminal damage.”

The campaign group Hope Not Hate described McIntyre as a “leading organizer” and “key architect” of the riots, adding that his imprisonment made the UK a safer place.

“The damage caused by his actions went beyond material destruction—it sowed division and fear within communities,” the group said in a statement.

Arthur Gibson, prosecuting, told the court that the riots seen in parts of the UK last summer were not simply spontaneous. “It is the prosecution case that many of these seats of disorder were not coincidental.

“Others, to a greater or lesser degree, participated in the organization, encouragement, and incitement of such gatherings, which resulted in the disorder,” Gibson said. “It is the crown’s case that one such person is the defendant.”

The violence that erupted in Southport and other areas left communities shaken and caused extensive damage to public and private property.

Prosecutors said McIntyre’s actions had a “sinister aspect,” as his use of social media not only inflamed tensions but also actively encouraged criminal acts.

Spurred by misinformation and propaganda, levels of racial hate and Islamophobia have been on the rise across Europe, including in the UK which experienced violent rioting last year targeting migrants, Muslims and people of colour.