Humza Yousaf has called for the army to be called in to stop “thugs” causing disorder on the streets.

The former first minister of Scotland issued the plea as he said the police did not look like they had a “handle on the situation”.

He said: “It doesn’t look like, to me, the police have a handle on the situation.

“The police have not been able to protect those that are in the Holiday Inn.

“The army can help to get control where the police are unable.”

Speaking to GB News, former Met Police detective Peter Bleksley warned that the army may be needed to contain the disorder spreading across Britain.

He said: “If you pick up a brick or a bottle and throw it at a police officer, you are an idiot. End of story.

“Something quite dramatic is going to have to happen here because I see no sign of this unrest ending.

“I see this escalating and spreading. It concerns me because if it goes beyond the capabilities of the police, will we have to face the unfortunate sight of troops on the streets of Britain?”

The violence seen across the country started after 17-year-old suspect Axel Rudakubana was accused of stabbing and killing three young girls in Stockport.

Amid false claims that the suspect had links to Islam, far-right groups amassed in Southport and targeted a mosque while also clashing with police.

Similar scenes have since been seen in Sunderland, Liverpool, Manchester, Hull and other locations.

On Sunday, rioters in Rotherham broke into a hotel that is housing asylum seekers.

Meanwhile, in Middlesbrough, three vehicles were set on fire. 

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