Sky News, based in the U.K., abruptly halted its live broadcast after a group of masked individuals interrupted its coverage by shouting profanities and chanting “Free Palestine.”
While reporting on the tensions in Birmingham, England, where groups of Muslim men gathered to “defend the streets” against perceived far-right threats, Sky News correspondent Becky Johnson noted the ongoing unrest. This violence erupted following the tragic stabbing deaths of three girls the previous week, which reignited outrage regarding England’s immigration policies.
As Johnson provided her report, a group of masked men rode up on bikes, confronting the reporter and her crew.
“Free Palestine,” yelled one man, cursing at the camera.
RIOTS ERUPT IN UK AFTER STABBING SPREE FALSELY BLAMED ON ASYLUM SEEKER
Police officers confront protesters during an anti-immigration demonstration outside the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham, England, Sunday Aug. 4, 2024. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP)
(Danny Lawson/PA via AP)
“I apologize for the language, but the anger is palpable,” Johnson commented.
As more masked individuals encroached upon the camera, Sky News quickly disconnected the live feed.
“Becky, I’m sorry, we have to cut away from you,” flustered Sky News presenter Mark Austin remarked from the studio. “We’ll ensure security is present. I apologize again for the language.”
Footage of the incident swiftly went viral after being shared on multiple X accounts.
On its live updates, Sky News provided insights regarding the escalating “tense situation” that transpired during the broadcast.
The network reported that Johnson had just spoken to a Muslim community leader who helped rally over 1,000 Muslim men to “support” their community and “ease tensions” stemming from recent riots against migrants.
As she was speaking, Sky News indicated that the reporter was “forced off-air after some [men] approached on bikes, shouting and cursing at the camera.”
Johnson reportedly remarked, “The media is clearly not very welcome here.”
JOURNALIST BRUTALLY ASSAULTED WHILE COVERING SOUTHPORT PROTESTS IN ENGLAND, POLICE INITIALLY REFUSED TO HELP
Residents of the typically ‘quiet’ town of Southport erupted against the police following the tragic stabbing of at least three girls.
(Richard McCarthy/PA via AP)
Fox News Digital reached out to Sky News for a comment but received no response.
Reports of riots have surged across England recently, fueled by false online claims that an asylum seeker was culpable for a mass stabbing at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event, claiming the lives of three girls and injuring others.
In the past six days, numerous police officers have been hospitalized due to injuries sustained from being assaulted by bricks, bottles, chairs, and large wooden posts.
On Sunday, outraged crowds vandalized two hotels that were housing asylum seekers, breaking windows and setting fires before law enforcement managed to disperse them and evacuate residents.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Monday that a specialized “standing army” of police would be established to handle the rioting, asserting that the judicial system would be strengthened to address the hundreds of arrests following violent disorders impacting cities nationwide.
“Regardless of the motivation, this is not a protest; it’s sheer violence, and we will not stand for attacks on mosques or our Muslim communities,” Starmer emphasized on Monday. “The full weight of the law will be applied to everyone identified as participating.”
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Contributions to this report were made by Fox News’ Bradford Betz and Stephen Sorace.
