Paloma Faith hits out at “right-wing idiots” amid UK riots: “I am proud of a Britain which is diverse”

nme.com:

Paloma Faith has hit out at “right-wing idiots” amid the UK’s ongoing riots.The singer penned a heartfelt message on social media in which she mentioned her children, who are of North African heritage through her former partner Leyman Lahcine.Faith, who was born in Hackney, London, to an English mother and Spanish father, wrote the caption: “My message to the right-wing idiots ruining our country.”“As the mother of two half Muslim North African children and as a born and raised resident and proud member of the Hackney community.

I stand vehemently against racism of any kind.”She went on to say that she is “proud” of the UK, which she describes as “diverse, integrated and accepting of all cultures.” She continued: “We cannot scapegoat minorities for this country’s problems when in my experience all they have done is contribute to the rich diverse culture I grew up in that has shaped the best parts of me and the people I love and adore.”She finished by saying, simply, “With all due respect to the right-wing fascists, f**k off.”A post shared by Paloma Faith (@palomafaith)Faith, who released her sixth album ‘The Glorification of Sadness’ on February 16, is one of a number of artists to have spoken out about the riots, which began last week after being sparked by fake news reports that the suspect involved in the Southport stabbing on July 29 was an asylum seeker.Massive Attack posted a statement on X (formerly Twitter) written by race equality think tank the Runnymede Trust, which read: “This violent racism has long been simmering under the surface.