British student mocks French riot victims on live television

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 31 Oct, 18:24 · Archive

A 22-year-old British-French student activist mocked shopkeepers whose premises were damaged in French riots during a live television appearance. Lola-Fleur Whittaker, a supporter of the hard-left France Unbowed party, appeared on the programme La Grande Confrontation, where she clashed with a bakery owner whose business had been ransacked by looters. She brushed aside concerns about the impact of the disorder.

French cities have experienced weeks of unrest throughout October, stemming from anger over the rising cost of living and teacher shortages. Violent mobs have raided retailers and set fire to historic landmarks including Limoges town hall and the Lyon tourist office. Interior minister Laurent Nunez confirmed that 70,000 officers have been mobilised to respond to further violence, with clashes erupting in Paris. More than €1 billion worth of damage has been done, affecting at least 3,000 shops.

President Emmanuel Macron branded the riots 'seditious acts' by 'ultra-left' groups whom he accused of trying to 'bring down the Republic'. Whittaker has become a recognisable face of the protest movement. The Daily Mail reports that she has spoken about her mother's financial hardship, claiming she is 'overdrawn every month' and buys discount goods because of cost, and eats cookies for lunch rather than paying for the cafeteria.

How it is being reported

• British student mocks victims of French riots and incites 'revolt' on live televisionA 22-year-old British student activist mocked the victims of riots in France on live TV as she clashed with a bakery owner whose premises had been ransacked by looters. Lola-Fleur Whittaker sparked outrage with her comments, delivered on the programme La Grande Confrontation, as French cities brace for further disorder this weekend. Unrest has gripped France throughout October, with violent mobs raiding retailers and setting fire to historic landmarks over successive weekends. Interior minister Laurent Nunez has confirmed that 70,000 officers have been mobilised to respond to further…GB News · 31 Oct, 18:06
• The British student who sparked outrage in France by mocking shopkeeper victims of Paris riots on TV chat show - as she calls for UK youth to 'revolt'Lola-Fleur Whittaker has become one of the most recognisable faces of France's protests, which erupted amid widespread anger over the rising cost of living and teacher shortages.Daily Mail · 31 Oct, 11:38

In this story: Lola-Fleur Whittaker · France Unbowed · Emmanuel Macron · Laurent Nunez · France

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