A BIRMINGHAM trade union official and political activist, who said he sympathised with rioting yobs, has refused to condemn violence in the city.

Matt Raine gave a TV interview during Monday’s disturbances, saying he understood the frustration of young people who were having to contend with the impact of government spending cuts.

He said: “There is no education, no jobs and no youth services left. That’s why I very much have sympathy with young people today who are having their futures ripped apart.”

Mr Raine, Unison branch secretary at Birmingham University and convenor of the West Midlands Right to Work Campaign, said he neither approved nor disapproved of violence when contacted by the Mail.

Mr Raine is the fiancé of city Labour councillor Penny Holbrook, office manager to Erdington MP and Shadow Local Government Secretary Jack Dromey.

He added: “Our advice to young people in Birmingham is not to vent their frustration in this way.

“But it’s not good enough to blame young people. We have to understand why they are doing it and the frustration they feel.”

Pressed to say whether he approved of looting, he added: “I won’t say I condone or condemn violence. We need to listen to young people. Politicians are just condemning what happened without trying to find out the views of young people.”