Nazir Afzal

Jessica Elgot, deputy political editor at the Guardian, and Nazir Afzal, former chief prosecutor for the north-west of England, tackle urgent issues surrounding far-right violence in the UK. They discuss the government's response to the recent unrest and the challenges in addressing the root causes of aggression. The conversation also highlights the delicate balance between policing protests and protecting free speech, along with the complexities of online hate speech regulation. Their insights shed light on the emotional impact on minority communities and the need for informed dialogue.

Lorna Woods, a key architect of the Online Safety Act, discusses its challenges post-riots. Nazir Afzal shares insights on legal ramifications, while Yasmin Alibhai-Brown critiques media's role in framing immigration narratives. Sunder Katwala emphasizes the need for balanced representation. The conversation also touches on Elon Musk's X platform's advertising struggles and the evolving dynamics between journalists and the police, exploring the impact of misinformation in today’s media landscape.

Nazir Afzal, a former Chief Crown Prosecutor known for his oversight during significant riots, joins Rachel Cunliffe to reflect on the recent far-right unrest following the tragic deaths of three young girls. He discusses how today's violence echoes the 2011 riots while highlighting the overshadowing of these tragedies by political agendas. Afzal emphasizes the critical societal issue of male violence against women and warns about the role of social media in spreading misinformation that fuels unrest.