Labour MP Dr Rosena Allin-Khan has revealed that she and her family were attacked by a racist gang who set dogs on them during a violent assault 30 years ago. The Tooting MP, who is of Polish-Pakistani heritage, spoke about the traumatic incident in light of weekend protests in London linked to far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
Appearing on the BBC’s Sunday, Dr Allin-Khan said memories of the past came flooding back after seeing scenes of violence and hate during Saturday’s rally.
“Thirty years ago, I was attacked in the park with my brother and my dad,” she said. “We had dogs set on us, our jackets were ripped up, and we had to go to A&E where I now work.”
Reflecting on the rise in hate speech and division, she added “What have we become? Thirty years later, people who are Black, Brown, gay anyone different are feeling frightened. What we need now is leadership and unity.”
The MP has spoken previously in Parliament about the racist attack, sharing in a 2021 debate on Islamophobia Awareness Month that she still carries both emotional and physical scars.
“As me and my brother ran away, our clothes were ripped from us… I’ve heard people say, ‘Why the hell would you choose to be a Muslim?’ These experiences are real and painful.”
Dr Allin-Khan’s comments come after a violent protest in central London on Saturday, organised by supporters of Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (known as Tommy Robinson). The event, branded Unite the Kingdom, attracted over 100,000 people, many of whom clashed with police.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that Robinson supporters kicked and punched officers, with 26 officers injured, including cases of broken teeth, a suspected broken nose, concussion, a prolapsed disc, and a serious head injury.
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist condemned the violence, “While many attended to protest lawfully, a significant number were clearly intent on violence. They confronted officers, hurled abuse, and tried to breach police cordons. The violence was wholly unacceptable.”
So far, 25 arrests have been made for offences including violent disorder, affray, assault, and criminal damage, but police say this is just the beginning of a wider investigation to identify more suspects from the day’s unrest.
Dr Allin-Khan’s emotional remarks have reignited calls for stronger political leadership in the face of growing extremism and rising hate crime in the UK.
