Kamis, 29 Februari 2024

Protests descending into mob rule, Rishi Sunak warns police - BBC

Rishi SunakPA Media

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has warned police chiefs of a "growing consensus that mob rule is replacing democratic rule".

He wants more robust police responses that he says are needed to protect politicians and democratic processes.

This includes an "immediate response" from police to intimidatory protest at MPs' homes.

But human rights group Amnesty International says the PM "wildly exaggerates the issue".

Mr Sunak was speaking the day after the Home Office announced a £31m package aimed at protecting MPs, stating it was in response to the impact of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

Now police bosses have been summoned to Downing Street, where the PM urged them to use existing powers to crack down on intimidation, disruption and subversion "urgently".

He said: "We simply cannot allow this pattern of increasingly violent and intimidatory behaviour which is, as far as anyone can see, intended to shout down free debate and stop elected representatives doing their job.

"That is simply undemocratic... I am going to do whatever it requires to protect our democracy and our values that we all hold dear.

"That is what the public expect. It is fundamental to our democratic system. And also it is vital for maintaining public confidence in the police."

Concerns for MPs' safety came to a head last week when Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle cited threats to politicians in his controversial handling of a debate on calls for a ceasefire in the conflict.

Police are being advised that protests outside MPs' homes and offices should generally be considered intimidatory and therefore "trigger an immediate response".

A Home Office document states: "Elected representatives have been threatened and had their family homes targeted. Council meetings have been repeatedly disrupted and, in some cases, abandoned... Last Wednesday, protestors threatened to force Parliament to 'lock its doors'.

"These are not isolated incidents or legitimate means of achieving change through force of peaceful argument... It is as un-British as it is undemocratic.

"If public confidence is to be maintained and the integrity of the democratic process is to be preserved, it cannot be allowed to stand."

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign - one of the groups behind the series of mass demonstrations held in London and other cities in recent months - has said it does not support protests outside MPs' homes but has defended the right to stage peaceful protests outside MPs' offices and council chambers.

The Labour Party is understood to believe the proposals are sensible but the PM's language is not.

Conservative Donna Jones, the chairwoman of Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, told BBC Newsnight the police do currently have enough powers - and have been using them to arrest protesters.

Ms Jones, who was at the Downing Street meeting, said: "We've all heard the message now from pro-Palestinian groups. We've heard it, we know it, we get what they're trying to say - but this type of unlawful behaviour has got to stop."

However, Del Babu, a former chief superintendent in the Metropolitan Police, said language like "mob rule" was not "helpful".

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that appealing to people to demonstrate less could have "unintended consequences" and potentially lead to more people protesting.

Palestine Solidarity Campaign protest outside Parliament, as Gaza vote is due on ceasefire, London, United Kingdom - 21 Feb 2024
PA Media

Earlier this month, Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood's home was targeted by pro-Palestinian protesters, while Preet Gill, Labour MP For Birmingham Edgbaston, said death threats had become "a norm" in her job, and Conservative Stafford MP Theo Clarke said she carried a panic button directly linked to the police "at all times".

Justice minister Mike Freer, who is standing down at the next election due to safety fears, said the extra funding for security measures would "not go to the root cause" of why people felt emboldened to target MPs.

He said unless you deal with the cause you would just have "a ring of steel around MPs" and then "our whole style of democracy changes".

Tom Southerden, Amnesty International UK's law and human rights director, warned fundamental rights were being eroded.

"Talk of 'mob rule' wildly exaggerates the issue and risks delegitimising the rights of peaceful protest," he said.

"Freedom of expression and assembly are absolutely fundamental rights in any free and fair society.

"The UK has undergone a major crackdown on protest rights in recent years, with peaceful protest tactics being criminalised and the police being given sweeping powers to prevent protests taking place."

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2024-02-29 09:36:57Z
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Harry Dunn's family to hold second funeral after human tissue found - BBC

Harry Dunnjustice4harry19

Harry Dunn's mother says a second funeral will be held for her son after human tissue was found on clothing returned to the family.

Mr Dunn, 19, died in a crash involving a US State Department employee outside RAF Croughton, Northamptonshire.

Charlotte Charles asked for her son's possessions in 2019 after he was killed but officers said everything had been destroyed in the crash.

She said a cremation service would be held on Friday.

Ms Charles said: "After Harry died, we asked if we could have his motorbike, clothes and possessions back.

"It is a way for us to keep connected to our son and we wanted to make a sculpture out of the remains of the bike and to make teddy bears and cushions out of any clothing material that was left for Harry's young cousins.

"The police officers told us that everything had been destroyed in the crash as there was a huge explosion. We put it out of our minds."

Harry Dunn
Justice4Harry19

However, the family's spokesman Radd Seiger was informed before Christmas that several items including clothing, the helmet, and the frame of the bike had been "frozen and preserved", pending the conclusion of criminal proceedings, in December 2022.

Ms Charles added: "It has really hit me hard and I've had to go back on antidepressants. As if that weren't bad enough, as the items of clothing were being returned, some of Harry's tissue was also discovered on his clothing and we only found that out a couple of weeks ago.

"We are now, therefore, having to go through a second cremation service on Friday and we all are all re-traumatised. It just all feels so unfair."

Harry Dunn's parents, Charlotte Charles and Tim Dunn
PA Media

Northamptonshire Police has launched an investigation into how the case was handled from the beginning.

Mr Seiger said there had been a "massive breakdown in protocol and communication" from the police.

"This poor family have been let down very badly yet again. Why were they told everything was destroyed when it wasn't?

"Why were they not told that was not the case until 15 months after the criminal case was concluded?"

A Northamptonshire Police spokesperson said: "Harry's clothing, helmet and bike were removed from the original collision site in 2019.

"Recently, police examined the items in order to repatriate them with the family, at which time human remains were subsequently discovered on Harry's clothing."

Police said they had worked with the coroner's officer to return the human remains to a funeral director on 7 February at the request of Harry's family.

Det Chief Supt Emma James, of Northamptonshire Police, added she would be meeting the family in the coming days to "ensure complete transparency".

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2024-02-29 07:57:29Z
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Rochdale polls open after election contest dominated by Gaza - The Guardian

Polls have opened in the Rochdale byelection after a chaotic contest dominated by the war in Gaza.

The veteran campaigner George Galloway is the bookies’ favourite to win after Labour abandoned its candidate over inflammatory comments he made about Israel.

Galloway, the former Labour MP, has described the poll as “a referendum on Gaza” and sought to capture the votes of thousands of disaffected Muslims.

Labour had expected to increase its 9,668-vote majority in the Greater Manchester town until it emerged that its candidate, Azhar Ali, had repeated anti-Israel conspiracy theories about the 7 October attack by Hamas.

Ali will still be on the ballot paper – it was too late to select another candidate – but he will sit as an independent MP if he wins. The result is expected at around 3am on Friday.

The byelection was called after the death of Rochdale’s MP, Sir Tony Lloyd, from leukaemia on 17 January.

Labour enjoys an average 20-point lead in the national opinion polls and was riding high on the success of the Wellingborough and Kingswood byelections earlier this month, both of which it won from the Tories with double-digit swings.

But what was expected to be a straightforward contest to replace Lloyd was thrown into disarray when Ali’s comments were published by the Mail on Sunday on 11 February. He had suggested Israel had deliberately relaxed security after warnings of an imminent threat.

Labour, which has held Rochdale since 2010, hopes that enough of its supporters will vote for the party on Thursday to stop Galloway, although byelections always have lower turnouts than nationwide polls.

Sir Keir Starmer’s party faces a challenge from another former Labour MP in the form of Simon Danczuk, who was suspended from the party in 2015 after sending inappropriate messages to a teenager.

Danczuk was Rochdale’s MP from 2010 to 2017 and is standing for Reform UK, the anti-immigration party presided over by Nigel Farage.

The two other main parties, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, are not expected to mount a serious challenge, while Labour’s vote is expected to be split further between a handful of local independent candidates.

Galloway, 69, is expected to be the main beneficiary of the chaos having campaigned on a pro-Palestine ticket aimed at Rochdale’s Muslim community, which accounts for about 30% of the population.

It would be the third time the veteran agitator has unseated his former party after victories in Bethnal Green and Bow in 2005 and Bradford West in 2012.

Like his previous campaigns, the Rochdale contest has been mired in controversy. Galloway last week said the names of Labour MPs were “dripping in blood” after the party’s ceasefire amendment, which did not go as far as some pro-Palestine supporters wanted.

The four-week contest has been mired in controversy. Earlier this week a 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of sending a death threat to Danczuk, who hired security guards for the final two days of campaigning.

Galloway’s team said its banners and garden posts had been ripped down in an effort to stop it getting the word out.

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Rabu, 28 Februari 2024

UK politics - live: Starmer claims Sunak’s Tories promoting conspiracy theories at PMQs - The Independent

Sir Keir Starmer has suggested the Conservatives have become the “political wing of the Flat Earth Society”.

He told Prime Minister’s Questions: “Tory MPs spent last week claiming that Britain was being run by a shadowy cabal made up of activists, the deep state and, most chillingly of all, the Financial Times.

“At what point did his party give up on governing and become the political wing of the Flat Earth Society?”

Prime minister Rishi Sunak replied: “Well, another week where (Sir Keir) is just sniping from the sidelines because he has absolutely nothing that he can say on what we do.”

1709130420

Government ‘missing the point’ over new £31 million security measures for MPs

Full report:

Matt Mathers28 February 2024 14:27
1709129205

Starmer doesn’t want to stop mass migration - Farage lashes out

Keir Starmer has forgotten that millions of Labour voters want to stop “mass migration and our increasingly unrecognisable cities”, Nigel Farage has said.

Writing on X, formerly Twitter, the former leader of Ukip and the Brexit Party said: “An extraordinary attack on me by Keir Starmer during #PMQs today.

“He must have forgotten that millions of Labour voters agree with me (rather than him) on stopping mass migration and our increasingly unrecognisable cities.”

Barney Davis28 February 2024 14:06
1709129006

Staunton asked to double pay of Post Office chief, MPs hear

Former Post Office chairman Henry Staunton had urged ministers to double the pay of chief executive Nick Read to prevent him quitting the organisation, Kevin Hollinrake has revealed to MPs.

Conservative MP Jane Stevenson said: “In yesterday’s select committee, Mr Staunton spoke about lobbying for a pay rise for Mr Read, which I know must have been quite galling to many of those subpostmasters.

“The minister was reported as refusing this pay rise. Can I ask him what sort of pay rise Mr Staunton thought would be a fair, equitable agreement at that time?”

Business minister Mr Hollinrake replied: “I think on two occasions Mr Staunton sought to lobby or did lobby for a pay increase for Mr Read.

“He sought to double the overall package of Mr Read on those occasions.”

“Wow,” MPs could be heard to say in response.

<p>Former Post Office chairman Henry Staunton, giving evidence to the Business and Trade Select Committee </p>

Former Post Office chairman Henry Staunton, giving evidence to the Business and Trade Select Committee

Mr Staunton told the Business and Trade Committee on Tuesday that Mr Read had said he was going to resign because he was “unhappy with his pay”.

Barney Davis28 February 2024 14:03
1709128693

Sunak takes aim at Starmer: ‘We expel antisemites, he makes them MPs’

The prime minister appeared to be referring to the Rochdale by-election candidate Azhar Ali, following his comments on the Israeli-Palestine conflict.

Mr Ali told a meeting of activists that Israel deliberately allowed the 7 October attacks by Hamas to take place in order to give it the “green light” to invade Gaza.

Addressing Sir Keir, Mr Sunak said: “The truth is, his party is so mired in hate that despite three ex-Labour candidates standing, [Starmer] can’t back a single one of them.”

Sunak takes aim at Starmer: ‘We expel antisemites, he makes them MPs’

Rishi Sunak took aim at Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer claiming the Conservative party “expels anti-semites, while he makes them Labour candidates” in a heated Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday (28 February). The prime minister appeared to be referring to the Rochdale by-election candidate Azhar Ali, following his comments on the Israeli-Palestine conflict. Mr Ali told a meeting of activists that Israel deliberately allowed the 7 October attacks by Hamas to take place in order to give it the “green light” to invade Gaza. Addressing Sir Keir, Mr Sunak said: “The truth is, his party is so mired in hate that despite three ex-Labour candidates standing, [Starmer] can’t back a single one of them.”

Barney Davis28 February 2024 13:58
1709124110

Starmer: Is Sunak too scared to stand up to his back benchers?

Starmer now asks Sunak if he is “too scared” to stand up to a “gaggle” of backbenchers who “moonlight” as GB News presenters.

“Or does he genuinely think Nigel Farage shares the ideals and values of the Tory party?” he adds.

Sunak hits back by saying that in tomorrow’s Rochdale by-election there will be three former Labour MPs - thrown out of the party over various scandals - who are running for election.

He says two of those candidates are “antisemites” and says Labour is “mired in hate”.

Matt Mathers28 February 2024 12:41
1709123564

Sunak declines to rule out Farage joining Tories

Continuing on the Truss theme, Starmer picks up on the former PM’s claim that Nigel Farage is the man to restore the Tory party’s fortunes.

He then asks Sunak if he can confirm whether he too would welcome the Reform UK party founder in his party.

Sunak responds by saying that his party has a proud tradition of having a “diversity” and accepting everyone.

Sunak then says his party has a better record than Labour on diversity, saying it has delivered the first female PM, the first Jewish PM and the first black chancellor... “and now led by the first Hindu prime minister”.

He does not answer Starmer’s question on Farage.

Matt Mathers28 February 2024 12:32
1709123198

Sunak: I take action when I see something wrong in my party

Sunak counters by using his suspension of Lee Anderson as an example of how he takes action when he sees something that is wrong in his party.

PM then returns to Starmer’s support of Corbyn, saying he failed to act while “vile” antisemitism took place in the Labour Party.

Sunak finishes his response by saying that he “acts on his principles” while Starmer “hasn’t got any”.

Matt Mathers28 February 2024 12:26
1709122982

‘He has been changed by his party'

Starmer hits back by saying he has changed his party for the better, referencing his effort to tackle antisemitism.

The Labour leader adds: “He has been changed by his party”.

Starmer then suggests that the real reason Sunak hasn’t suspended Truss is because he’s “too weak” to stand up to her.

“It the story of his leadership,” he adds.

He finishes by asking Sunak if the Tory party will take any responsibility for the state of the country after what he said was 13 years of failure.

Matt Mathers28 February 2024 12:23
1709122728

Sunak: Starmer is ‘shameless and spineless'

In response, the PM said he doesn’t believe a single MP supports Tommy Robinson, the far-right anti-Islam activist.

He then criticises Starmer over his support for former leader Jeremy Corbyn, saying the whole country “knows his record”.

“He sat there while antisemitism ran rife in his party”, he says. Sunak points out that other Labour front benchers refused to back Corbyn before branding him “shameless and spineless”.

Matt Mathers28 February 2024 12:18
1709122535

Starmer asks Sunak why he’s allowing Truss to stand as an MP

Starmer returns to Liz Truss’s visit to the US last week, where he says she was flogging her new book.

“In search of fame and wealth she’s taken to slagging off...and undermining Britain at every opportunity,” he says.

He references Truss’s claim that she was sabotaged by the “deep state” and also remained silent about Steve Bannon’s Tommy Robinson “hero comments”.

The Labour leader then asks why Sunak is allowing her to stand as an MP.

Matt Mathers28 February 2024 12:15

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Primary school evacuated after 'gas explosion' in nearby house - Sky News

A primary school has been evacuated after a suspected gas explosion at a nearby house in Greater Manchester.

Tamoor Tariq, a local councillor, said staff and children had fled St Luke's Church of England Primary School following the blast at a property "just yards away" in the Fishpool area of Bury.

Police said a woman in her 70s had been taken to hospital with "serious injuries".

In a statement posted on X just after 12.15pm, Mr Tariq said: "Heartbreaking to share there has been a gas explosion in the last few minutes right across from my house.

"I understand everyone has been taken to a place of safety and emergency services are doing all possible to deal with this awful situation."

He added in a later update that no one had died, according to officials at the scene.

"The house directly affected is in an extremely bad state following the explosion [and] the house was destroyed by the strong flames from the fire," he added.

"Both neighbouring properties have been damaged too."

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said multiple crews had been dispatched to the scene.

A spokesperson added: "Residents in the area are advised to keep windows and doors closed and avoid the scene while crews carry out their work."

Bury Council said its officials were aware of the incident and also urged those living nearby to keep their windows closed.

Read more from Sky News:
Prince Harry loses legal case over security downgrade

Biden wins Michigan primary but faces voter backlash
Kellogg's boss says poor people should eat cereal for dinner

Emergency services at the scene of a gas explosion in the Fishpool area of Bury. Pic: Tamoor Tariq/X
Image: Multiple fire engines rushed to the scene. Pic: Tamoor Tariq/X

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: "Emergency services are currently responding to reports of an explosion at a property on Nelson Street in the Fishpool area of Bury.

"At this stage, a woman in her 70s has been taken to hospital with serious injuries. A 200m cordon is in place around the property and neighbouring homes.

"Local residents and the community will be informed if they need to take any further action."

Mr Tariq said the school's electricity supply had been affected by the blast and subsequent fire, and that all parents had been informed.

The school is expected to remain closed for the rest of the day.

There have been no reports of any other people being injured.

Staff at nearby Bury Football Club have offered support to those affected.

The club posted on social media: "For anyone seeking a place to be this afternoon following the incident close to Gigg Lane, the club is open to assist and offer a brew to those effected."

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Belfast court rules part of government’s Legacy Act breaches human rights - Sky News

The High Court in Belfast has ruled that part of the British government’s controversial Northern Ireland Troubles Legacy Act is in breach of European human rights legislation.

The judge, Mr Justice Colton, said he was satisfied that the provisions of the act that offer immunity from Troubles-era prosecutions breached Articles 2 and 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

The judged added that there was "no evidence that granting immunity under the act would in any way contribute to reconciliation in Northern Ireland", and the "evidence is to the contrary".

However, the judge also ruled that new Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) set up by the act was capable of making effective investigations and was not in breach of human rights law.

Mr Justice Colton told Belfast High Court: "I fully understand the opposition to the new scheme and the reasons for it.

"That said, I cannot at this remove say the system established under the Act cannot provide an article 2 and 3 compliant investigation.

"It has wide powers and wide range of discretion to carry out its reviews. Should it fall short of its obligations on articles 2 and 3, I have no doubt they will be subject to the scrutiny of the court."

More from UK

A legal challenge was mounted by a number of victims' relatives against the act, which aims to end Troubles-related prosecutions and brings in a conditional amnesty for suspects, provided they cooperate with the ICRIR.

Four people had challenged the human rights compliance of the act, including its denial of inquests, lack of adequate investigations and ban on civil proceedings.

Read more:
Man charged with attempted murder of NI police detective
Former British soldier to be prosecuted over 1972 Belfast murder

Martina Dillon's 45-year-old husband Seamus was shot dead in loyalist gun attack at the Glengannon Hotel in Dungannon, Co Tyrone in 1997.

John McEvoy survived another loyalist gun attack in Kilcoo, Co Down in 1992, in which another man died.

Lynda McManus's father James was injured in the notorious Sean Graham bookies massacre, also in 1992. That was carried out by the loyalist UDA group.

Brigid Hughes lost her husband Anthony, an innocent civilian who was killed by the SAS as they shot dead eight IRA members in Loughgall in 1987.

Lawyers expect appeals in the case, which could be brought all the way to the Supreme Court and could take several years to exhaust.

What is the Troubles Legacy Act?

3,500 people died in a bloody period of sectarian violence in Northern Ireland from around 1968 to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, in what was known as The Troubles.

The British government’s Legacy Act, or to give it its full title, the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act, came into effect in September 2023. It was opposed by all the parties in Northern Ireland, as well as the Irish government. It will end future litigation and inquests into Troubles-era deaths, in what London says is an effort to draw a line under the violence of the past.

Conditional amnesty will instead be offered to those who reveal information about the incidents to a new truth recovery body, the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR).

But many in Northern Ireland say the denial of future prosecutions is a breach of human rights, which the British government refutes.

In December, Ireland announced that it was taking legal action against the UK in the European Court of Human Rights, for only the second time in 50 years. The Irish government said it had received legal advice that the new UK law was in breach of international human rights legislation, and the move was being taken "with regret".

It has severely strained Anglo-Irish diplomatic relations, which may improve if a Labour government is elected at the next election. Party leader Keir Starmer has vowed to repeal the controversial legislation.

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2024-02-28 11:20:18Z
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£31m package announced to counter threat to MPs' security - BBC

Jo Stevens

MPs facing threats to their safety will get extra security, as part of a £31m package to help protect the UK's democratic processes from disruption, the government has announced.

Measures could include the provision of bodyguards for MPs most at risk.

The funding will also be used for additional police patrols in response to increased community tensions.

Home Secretary James Cleverly said no MP should have to accept threats or harassment as "part of the job"

There has been growing concern in recent months over MPs' safety since the outbreak of the war in Gaza.

Last week, Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle cited threats to politicians in his controversial handling of a debate on calls for a ceasefire in the conflict.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has also raised concerns about MPs being "verbally threatened and physically, violently targeted" in recent weeks, with "legitimate protests hijacked by extremists".

The Home Office said the funding package would be used to increase private sector security provisions for those facing greater risk and to expand cyber security advice to locally elected representatives.

It said the money would also ensure all elected representatives and candidates have a dedicated named police contact to liaise with on security matters.

Meanwhile, a new communities fund will be established to allow extra police patrols in England and Wales, with forces able to use the fund to increase police presence in response to specific events.

On Wednesday Home Secretary James Cleverly will hold talks with police chiefs to discuss how to better ensure the safety of MPs.

"The government will take every possible step to safeguard the people, processes and institutions upon which our democracy relies," he said.

"I take the safety and security of all members of the House with the utmost seriousness. None of us should have to accept that enduring hate crimes, harassment, or threats is part of the job."

Security Minister Tom Tugendhat said: "Over the past few weeks we've seen disgraceful attempts to intimidate MPs and undermine our democratic processes. That behaviour is a threat to our democracy, and toxic for our society."

Earlier this month, Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood's home was targeted by pro-Palestinian protesters, with the police warning his family to stay away as it could have "antagonised the situation".

Another Tory MP, Mike Freer has said he is standing down at the next election, after death threats and an alleged arson attack on his constituency office had "become too much".

Preet Gill, Labour MP For Birmingham Edgbaston, said death threats had become "a norm" in her job, while Conservative Stafford MP Theo Clarke said she carried a panic button directly linked to the police "at all times".

Last November, the office of shadow Welsh secretary Jo Stevens was daubed in red paint and plastered in posters accusing her of having "blood" on her hands after she abstained in a vote on a ceasefire.

The debate over the safety of MPs was heightened after the murder of Labour's Jo Cox in 2016 and Conservative Sir David Amess in 2021.

The murders prompted a review of security measures, with changes including included improved security at MPs' homes and offices and additional private sector-delivered security where necessary.

Jo Cox
PA Media

House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said the money provided "much-needed reassurance".

"It will enable us to build on the improvements we have made over the past two years, working with the police and Home Office to enhance security at MPs' homes and offices, and crucially when they are out and about meeting their constituents."

On BBC Breakfast, former Cabinet minister Sir Robert Buckland also said he welcomed the funding, arguing that if MPs were left concerned about their safety "voices will be muffled".

"If we start sequestering politicians away from the public, I'm worried that that Westminster bubble, the ivory tower syndrome, will only get worse and divorce politicians from the people they represent... that's why safety is a very important consideration."

Former deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman had suggested particularly vulnerable politicians could be allowed to participate in the House of Commons from home.

Speaking to LBC she said "they could sometimes vote through the division lobbies, or they could sometimes vote online. I think we've got a process now that we experimented with during Covid, which we could actually bring that back in."

However, the prime minister's deputy spokesperson said Rishi Sunak did not want to see "anything that restricts debate" adding: "MPs should be on the floor of the House having robust debate, expressing their views. That is fundamental to our democracy."

And Labour shadow minister James Murray told Talk TV "face to face interaction makes me a better MP and I think anything that forces us to limit that and make us less accessible and less open I think is bad for democracy".

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2024-02-28 08:48:09Z
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Rochdale by-election - live: Candidate gets ‘death threat’ as Pro-Palestine protesters told to stop - The Independent

Thousands of pro-Palestine protesters rally outside Downing Street

A candidate in the Rochdale by-election has received an alleged death threat as foreign secretary James Cleverly calls on pro-Palestine marchers to end their demonstrations because they have “made their point”.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) launched an investigation after being alerted to a video message sent to Simon Danczuk, who is standing for the rightwing party Reform UK.

The clip was filmed by someone referring to Mr Danczuk as “a white devil” and threatening to “put one in his head”.

On a visit to New York to discuss migration, Mr Cleverly questioned whether holding regular marches “adds value” to their calls for an immediate ceasefire.

“The question I ask myself is, ‘What are these protests genuinely hoping to achieve?’” he told The Times.

“They have made a point and they made it very, very loudly and I’m not sure that these marches every couple of weeks add value to the argument. They’re not really saying anything new.”

1709113574

Councils warn of drastic cuts amid fears over authorities going bust

Councils have warned that neighbourhood services will have to be cut despite a government bailout, with fears that more authorities will go bust over the coming years.

If further funding is not made available in the Budget on 6 March, communities will face the consequences of a worsening financial crisis across local government, the Local Government Association (LGA) said.

Full report:

Matt Mathers28 February 2024 09:46
1709113011

We’ll ‘look’ at any move to increase demonstration notice period - Labour

Labour has said it will “look at” any government proposals on increasing the notice period required for protests.

James Murray, a shadow Treasury minister, told Sky News: “We will have a look at the proposals the government is bringing forward, because what I think we need to get right is a balance between protecting legitimate protest, which is a healthy and important part of our democracy – you know, protests outside oarliament and so on – with the fact that MPs and their offices and their families need to not be threatened or intimidated or face the threat of violence.

“And that’s the balance we’ve got to get right.”

Matt Mathers28 February 2024 09:36
1709112411

We’re considering increasing notice period needed for large demonstrations, Philp says

The policing minister said the government was considering increasing the amount of notice protesters are required to give the police for large-scale demonstrations, but had not made a decision.

Chris Philp told Sky News: “I think the home secretary is giving that some thought and it’s being kept under review.”

He added: “For very, very large protests where we’re talking about tens of thousands, or possible even hundreds of thousands of people, it may make planning for the police easier if it’s more like a couple of weeks, but that’s just something the home secretary’s thinking about, and certainly nothing’s been decided.”

<p>File photo: Chris Philp with James Cleverly </p>

File photo: Chris Philp with James Cleverly

Matt Mathers28 February 2024 09:26
1709111811

Cleverly gives New York mayor Arsenal jersey on trip to Big Apple

As we reported earlier, James Cleverly was in New York yesterday where he delivered a speech about migration.

The foreign secretary also met with Eric Adams, the city’s mayor, who he presented with an Arsenal jersey. Mr Cleverly is a fan of the north London side.

Mr Cleverly met with other officials and was seen out and about, walking to City Hall where he delivered his speech.

Matt Mathers28 February 2024 09:16
1709111211

Chris Philp: We’ll continue to police protests

The policing minister said pro-Palestinian protests would continue to be policed and the government would not seek to prevent them if they carried on.

Asked what the government would do if the protests continued, Chris Philp told Sky News: “We are a free country and people have the right to protest, so we will continue to police those protests.

“Where people cross the line and, for example, incite racial hatred or commit public order offences, then arrests will be made.

“About 600 arrests have been made so far because protests must be within the law, but we are a free country and the right to protest and the right to free speech are fundamental.”

Matt Mathers28 February 2024 09:06
1709110611

Ministerial comments due in Commons today

Here are the written ministerial statements due to be made in the Commons on Wednesday:

– Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities: Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Funding.

– Secretary of State for Scotland: Contingencies Fund Advance.

– Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: DWP Estate – Decommissioning of Temporary Jobcentres.

<p>File photo: House of Commons chamber </p>

File photo: House of Commons chamber

Matt Mathers28 February 2024 08:56
1709109992

Lee Anderson’s comments conflated ‘hateful extremism’ with Muslims in general, minister says

Lee Anderson’s comments about Sadiq Khan conflated “hateful extremism” with “Muslims in general”, a government minister has said.

Policing minister Chris Philp described Mr Anderson’s remarks as “wrong and divisive” but declined to say whether they were racist or Islamophobic.

In an interview with LBC, he said: “First of all they conflated Islamism, which is a form of hateful extremism, with Muslims in general.

“Very often Muslims are victims of Islamist extremism. So conflating the two was wrong, and he was also wrong in the way that he characterised Sadiq Khan.

“There’s a lot you can criticise Sadiq Khan for - for example, London is the only part of the country where knife crime is going up - Ulez is a disaster… he is a terrible mayor.

“But what Lee said about Sadiq Kahn wasn’t true… I would characterise it as being wrong and divisive.”

Matt Mathers28 February 2024 08:46
1709109411

Home Office unveils £31m security package to protect MPs from threats

Security measures for MPs will be bolstered with a £31 million package that will include providing elected politicians with a dedicated police contact to liaise with over safety issues.

Home secretary James Cleverly, who made the funding announcement, will meet with police chiefs on Wednesday to discuss what more can be done to improve the safety of MPs.

Full report:

Matt Mathers28 February 2024 08:36
1709108781

Four arrested after party political meeting disrupted by protesters

Four people have been arrested after a party political meeting in Stoke-on-Trent was disrupted by protesters, the policing minister has said.

Discussing MPs’ security, Chris Philp told LBC: “There was also an event in Stoke on Friday night when a party fundraiser was shut down by protesters, intimidatory protesters, who weren’t just outside the venue but got inside and started harassing people to the extent that it had to be closed down.

“I’m pleased to say in that case Staffordshire Police have now made four arrests.

“But all of those events, besides the tragic murders of Jo Cox and Sir David Amess, just show how serious this is.

“We can’t cede an inch of territory to people who seek to intimidate our elected representatives.”

<p>Chris Philp</p>

Chris Philp

Matt Mathers28 February 2024 08:26
1709108538

ICYMI: Reform candidate blames George Galloway for ‘whipping up division’ in Rochdale after receiving ‘death threat’

Full report:

Matt Mathers28 February 2024 08:22

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