David Cameron condemns xenophobic, racist abuse incidents post Brexit

British Prime Minister David Cameron strongly condemned the xenophobic abuse after the European Union referendum amid a growing chorus of concern over intolerance and hostility.

According to the Guardian, the prime minister told the cabinet the government "will not tolerate intolerance" and it condemned "some of the incidents we have seen across the country over the weekend of intimidating migrants and telling them that they need to go home".

His comments come in the wake of the mayor of London Sadiq Khan and the UK's biggest Muslim organisation speaking out against soaring rise in racist abuse in the aftermath of the EU referendum.

"It's really important we stand guard against any rise in hate crimes or abuse by those who might use last week's referendum as cover to seek to divide us. I've asked our police to be extra vigilant for any rise in cases of hate crime, and I'm calling on all Londoners to pull together and rally behind this great city." Mayor Khan said.

Khan also warned against the demonisation of people who voted to leave the EU, saying: "It's also crucial that we don't demonise the 1.5 million people in London who voted for Brexit. While I and millions of others disagreed with their decision, they took it for a variety of reasons and this shouldn't be used to accuse them of being xenophobic or racist. We must respect their decision and work together now to get the best deal for London."

The Muslim Council of Britain urged political and civic leaders to heal divisions exposed by last week's vote. It said: "In the past few days, we have witnessed shocking manifestations of hate speech not only online but also on our streets."

After a flurry of alleged xenophobic incidents over the weekend, the Polish embassy issued a statement expressing shock and deep concern.

Reported incidents included graffiti sprayed on to the walls of a west London Polish community centre and cards reading "no more Polish vermin" posted through letterboxes.

"We are shocked and deeply concerned by the recent incidents of xenophobic abuse directed at the Polish community and other UK residents of migrant heritage. The Polish embassy is in contact with relevant institutions, and local police are investigating the two most widely reported cases, in Hammersmith, London, and Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire," the Embassy said in a statement.

"At the same time we would like to thank for all the messages of support and solidarity for the Polish community expressed by the British public," it added.