Labour MP forced to issue apology over 'significant error of judgement' as old messages emerged

Keir Starmer says British police should stay 'on high alert' after emergency Cobra meeting

Police in Britain must "remain on high alert", Keir Starmer is believed to have told a Cobra meeting tonight.

It comes amid concerns there could be a new wave of violence this weekend.

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'Ramped-up police response' to stay in place, says Home Secretary

The Home Secretary has said the ramped-up police response to potential further riots would continue and suggested it was having an impact on stemming days of disorder.

Yvette Cooper met with police officers and Deputy Commission Dame Lynne Owens at the Metropolitan Police’s specialist operations room in Lambeth on Thursday.

She was asked by the BBC if the deployment of a “standing army” of 6,000 officers would continue over the weekend.

She said: “We’re going to continue with this strong policing response, making sure that there are additional police officers ready to respond.”

After police were braced for disorder on Wednesday that largely failed to materialise, Cooper said that expedited arrests, convictions and sentencing, as well as the thousands of additional officers on the streets, were having an impact.

The fast response from the criminal justice system “does show people that you really will pay the price for these crimes,” said Cooper.

Number of households homeless after leaving Government asylum support surges

The number of households needing help for homelessness because they had to leave Government asylum support accommodation has soared, new figures showed.

A total of 16,660 households were assessed as being owed assistance from local authorities after being required to leave Home Office asylum support accommodation between July last year and March this year.

That number is more than three times the figure for the equivalent period a year earlier, when 4,690 households needed such help.

Councils can owe help through duties to prevent a household threatened with homelessness or to relieve a household that is already homeless when it approaches a local authority.

The Refugee Council said the figures are a consequence of the previous Conservative government working to reduce the lengthy asylum backlog but lacking a plan for what would happen to people afterwards.

Starmer to hold third Corba meeting tonight as police prepare for further unrest

The Prime Minister will hold another emergency Cobra meeting with police chiefs as officers brace for more potential unrest on the streets.

Sir Keir Starmer is due to host the third high-level summit of its kind since violence broke out last week, after anticipation of more disorder largely failed to materialise on Wednesday.

It comes as the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) warned 20 potential gatherings and three counter-protests were believed to have been planned for Thursday evening.

NPCC chairman Gavin Stephens told reporters those “intent on violence and destruction have not gone away” as he said police were “very focused on the weekend”.

Ex Tory MP 'shocked and concerned by the views held by' Lauren Edwards

MP Lauren Edwards predecessor, Kelly Tolhurst has slammed the offensive comments as "divisive and unpleasant views".

It comes after a number of offensive social media posts by Edwards resurfaced from a decade ago.

Tolhurst shared her shock at the remarks on social media.

She wrote: "She had no concern airing them publicly when working for a Labour MP, only deleting them after public pressure. Holding these divisive and unpleasant views she now represents our towns and community."

Lauren Edwards' tweets resurface 

Labour MP apologies over offensive tweets

Labour councillor suspended after being filmed calling for ‘cut throats’ at London ‘anti-racist’ demo

A Labour Councillor has been suspended after being filmed calling for “cut throats” at an anti-racist demonstration in Walthamstow, GB News can reveal.

Addressing a large crowd on a microphone and speaker, Dartford Councillor Ricky Jones said: “They are disgusting Nazi fascists and we need to cut all their throats and get rid of them all.”

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Starmer to chair ANOTHER Cobra meeting 

Sir Keir Starmer will convene relevant ministers and police chiefs for yet another Cobra meeting later today after violent protests failed to materialise last night.

The Prime Minister, who visited riot-hit communities earlier today, confirmed the meeting while addressing the press in Solihull.

Speaking after a visit to a mosque, the Prime Minister said: "Now it's important that we don't let up here and that's why later on today I will have another Cobra meeting with law enforcement, with senior police officers, to make sure that we reflect on last night but also plan for the coming days."

Cambridge University issues new free speech rules as Labour shelve protection law

The University of Cambridge has issued new rules on protecting freedom of speech on campus after Labour announced it was shelving a law to protect academics.

Cambridge updated its code of conduct to ensure the university is “fully committed to the principle and to the promotion of freedom of speech” for staff and students.

The announcement comes after Labour's Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson was reportedly considering ripping up the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023.

Sunak living it up at Michelin-star Beverly Hills restaurant amid UK riots turmoil

Rishi Sunak has been photgraphed leaving a Michelin-star Beverly Hills restaurant amid a wave of violent protests across the UK.

The former Prime Minister, who released just one statement about the disorder on social media, enjoyed a meal with wife Akshata Murty at Funke.

Funke is frequented a number of stars such Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox.

Sunak, who is expected to stay on as Tory Party leader until November, has not condemned Elon Musk for his attacks on the UK government during this week’s unrest.

Stormont recalled amid 'paramilitary' fears in Northern Ireland

Stormont has been recalled after rioting in Belfast contained "a paramilitary element".

Members of the Legislative Assembly will meet later today to discuss a motion condemning "criminal damage and targeting of businesses in recent days".

The decision to recall MLAs, which comes as Sir Keir Starmer refuses to accept calls for MPs to return to Westminster, followed serious concerns about paramilitary involvement.

PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said: "I have no doubt there is a paramilitary element to this, but I am not in a position to say that this is the main organiser or orchestrator of these events."

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn added: "The violence which has sowed fear in local communities and damaged businesses is totally unacceptable."

Yvette Cooper 'thanks' police after yesterday's violence 'abated'

Thank you to all the police officers working tonight to protect & support local communities.

— Yvette Cooper (@YvetteCooperMP) August 7, 2024

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has thanked police after violent unrest was abated last night.

Cooper said: "Thank you to all the police officers working tonight to protect and support local communities."

Sir Keir Starmer’s Government had put 6,000 specialist officers on standby to quell any potential violent disorder.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley stressed he was "pleased" with officers.

“We put thousands of officers on the street and I think the show of force from the police and frankly the show of unity from communities, together defeated the challenges that we’ve seen," he said.

“It went off very peacefully last night. A couple of locations we had some local criminals turn out and try and create a bit of anti-social behaviour and we arrested a few of them.

“But it was a very successful night and the fears of extreme-right disorder were abated.

"A successful operation thanks to communities and police.”