Nigel Farage forced to ramp up security after being blamed for riots - 'Media has incited violence against me!'
Nigel Farage forced to ramp up security after being blamed for riots - 'Media has incited violence against me!'
PA
Nigel Farage has been forced to ramp up security after being blamed for violent riots.
The Reform UK leader, who is critical of so-called "two-tier policing", revealed his security bill is increasing during an interview on LBC.
He said: "At no point in the last week or in the previous 30-years, have I ever encouraged the use of violence, have I ever encouraged the use of anti-democratic means.
"And yet ... we have senior Labour politicians, like Andy McDonald, saying that I wanted the riots to happen. We have former Conservative MPs, like Anna Soubry, saying that I orchestrated the riots.
"We have LBC presenters, like James O'Brien, calling them the Farage riots. I have had nothing to do with any form of street violence now or at any point in my career."
Farage added: "This level of incitement to violence against me, which is utterly baseless, has led to a huge increase in my security uptick."
The Clacton MP, who called for MPs to return to Parliament, condemned the "levels of intimidation" yesterday and described the situation as "shocking".
However, Farage has come under fire from a number of other MPs.
Andy McDonald, who landed himself in hot-water for making "deeply offensive" coments about the Israel-Gaza war last year, said: "They've been encouraged to think these things, and we know who we're talking about - Mr Nigel Farage and his crew."
He also received criticism after the Reform UK leader initially claimed the violence was "a reaction to fear, to discomfort, to unease that is out there shared by tens of millions of people".
Farage also insinuated the police might have "withheld" information about last week's knife attack in Southport on July 29.
BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: Keir Starmer addresses nation following emergency Cobra meeting
Keir Starmer addresses nation following emergency Cobra meeting
PA
Sir Keir Starmer has warned rioters will feel the "full force of the law" after convening yet another Cobra meeting tonight.
The Prime Minister gathered top officials as an eighth day of violent unrest looms.
Starmer said: "The Cobra meeting was to coordinate our response to the disorder and I made it very clear on a number of occasions that those involved will feel the full force of the law."
The Prime Minister, who confirmed more than 400 people have been arrested so far, added: "I'm not expecting substantive sentencing before the end of next week."
WATCH NOW: Nigel Farage sets out how to stop the riots
How to stop the riots. pic.twitter.com/WRAIhrgxe3
— Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) August 6, 2024
Tory leadership hopeful calls on MPs to commit to promoting the 'happiness and prosperity' of the UK
If you’re not doing this, get another job. pic.twitter.com/lUDnKiREBm
— Tom Tugendhat (@TomTugendhat) August 6, 2024
Former Security Minister Tom Tugendhat has said MPs who do not commit to promoting the "happiness and prosperity" of the UK should "get another job".
The Tonbridge MP said: "The point about politics is to promote the happiness and prosperity of the British people.
"That's literally the only purpose of politics and if you're not delivering that, frankly, get another job, do something else."
Starmer calls ANOTHER emergency Cobra meeting
Sir Keir Starmer will chair another emergency Cobra meeting this evening as unrest continues to wreak havoc across the country.
Relevant ministers and police chiefs will attend the meeting ahead of a "big day" of disorder on tomorrow.
As many as 30 gatherings have been planned for tomorrow, raising concerns about whether the current strategy with curb the use of violence.
Archbishop of Canterbury claims rioting 'is not' British or English
Rioting is not British or English, the Archbishop of Canterbury has claimed.
Justin Welby instead condemned the "criminal violence" which resulted in dozens of police officers being injured and mosques being attacked.
The Church of England leader told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “This is not the United Kingdom. It’s not British. It’s not English. They defile the flag that they wrap themselves in.
“Violence and swearing in the face of police from a distance of two feet is never going to convince anyone.
“Protest is good and is right, and is fundamental to all our freedoms. But peaceful protest will have 1,000 – 10,000 – times the impact that this violence is having.
"This violence turns people away from your cause, whatever you’re protesting about, and it is just criminal violence.
“Peaceful protest, peaceful statements will convince, will change people’s mind, will – at the very least – cause them to listen.”
Starmer says 'standing army' is ready to be deployed
Sir Keir Starmer told his Cabinet that the “standing army” of special duty public officers are ready to be deployed across the country to tackle any emerging disorder, according to Downing Street.
A readout of the meeting said: “The Home Secretary gave an update on the latest situation and the current operational response, condemning the disgraceful scenes of crime and thuggery at sites including the Liverpool Children’s Library, mosques, supermarkets and hotels housing asylum seekers.
“The Home Secretary spoke about the progress of the new National Violent Disorder Programme in bringing together the best policing capabilities from across the country to share intelligence on the activity of violent groups so the authorities can swiftly intervene to arrest them.
“The Cabinet joined the Home Secretary in her praise of the police for their continued hard work and recognition of the dedicated people who were helping to rebuild communities in the wake of the damage caused.
“The Attorney General spoke about the swift progress by the Crown Prosecution Service in charging offenders and looked towards potential court hearings at the end of the week.
“The Deputy Prime Minister spoke Cabinet through the work her department had been undertaking with local leaders to address community tensions and offer support.
“Lastly, the Secretary of State for Science and Technology updated on his meetings with social media companies where he made clear their responsibility to continue to work with the Government to stop the spread of hateful disinformation and incitement.”
Tory leadership candidate slams 'sectarian gangs' as riots wreak havoc
Robert Jenrick took aim at "sectarian gangs" as the Conservative leadership candidate demands for "all violence" to end as riots rage on across Britain.
The Tory MP weighed in on the recent riots, stating that "all violence must be called out".
Speaking in a video online, Jenrick said: "Two wrongs never make a right.
"What we have seen happen next. Vigils turned into protests. Protests turned into disorder, and disorder turned into riots.
"The far-right who attacked a mosque are a disgrace. The thugs attacking police are a disgrace. The arsonists who set fire to a hotel with people inside are a disgrace.
"The racists attacking Black or Asian Britons are a disgrace. And the sectarian gangs marching through towns and cities waving weapons and in some cases, attacking white Britons are a disgrace."
James Cleverly attacks Keir Starmer’s 'standing army' of police announcement
James CleverlyPAShadow home secretary James Cleverly has criticised Sir Keir Starmer’s announcement of a “standing army” of public order police to deal with the rioting.
The Tory frontbencher posted on social media: “Labour still don’t understand that they’re not in opposition any more. In government you can’t just say stuff, you have to do stuff.”
He went on to pose a series of questions about the plan, including: “Using the word ‘army’ always sounds tough but is he suggesting a paramilitary police force?
“What new or additional powers will the unit have?
“Police forces across the UK have officers who are public order trained, but when not dealing with disorder they have other police duties.
“Will this ‘standing army’ of officers have no other duties? If so, what will they do when there are no riots? Or is Starmer expecting permanent riots?”
Conservative law to limit strikes to be discarded
The Labour government has announced it will be scrapping Tory legislation that limited the ability of unions to strike.
The bill faced criticism and was branded as being anti-worker.
The government says the "pointless" legislation has not been used and has "only inflamed tensions" with unions.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: "Attempting to clamp down on the fundamental freedom of working people has got us nowhere, and this was targeted at sectors who dedicate their lives to serving us all."
David Miliband handed £1million pay packet funded by UK taxpayers
David Miliband has been paid over £1million by the International Rescue Committee (IRC)GettyDavid Miliband has been paid over £1million by a humanitarian aid charity which is heavily funded by British taxpayers.
In 2022, Miliband, who previously served as Labour’s Foreign Secretary, received six times more than Sir Keir Starmer’s current salary when he served as the president and chief executive - a role which he has held since 2013.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC), a US-based organisation, was given over £30m last year by the Government to run refugee, health, and poverty-relief projects in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
According to the latest data given to US tax authorities, alongside his $1,253,728 (£983,073) pay package, Miliband also received a $150,000 (£117,701.25) bonus.
IRC staff had previously been warned about the need for “rigorous prioritisation of spending” after the organisation reported a $50m (£3,923,375) deficit this year.
Richard Tice hits back at claims Reform stoking riots - 'No two-tier policing... No violence is justified'
Richard Tice
PARichard Tice has hit back at claims Reform UK is stoking the riots, describing the accusations as "absolute nonsense."
Scenes of bedlam have exploded on the streets of Britain after a knife attack in Southport led to three young girls losing their lives.
The situation escalated on Monday evening when hundreds of masked counter-protesters descended upon Birmingham, after receiving false information that a riot was taking place.
Extra 567 prison places made free following riots
Courts minister Heidi Alexander has said that an extra 567 prison places have been made available.
Alexander said anyone thinking about rioting can "rest assured that there will be a prison place waiting for them if they are convicted".
It comes after the Government was already looking to increase capacity in the wake of the prisons crisis.
Labour MP Jess Phillips accused of 'making excuses' for masked thugs in Birmingham
Jess Phillips
PAMP for Birmingham Yardley, Jess Phillips, has been accused of "making excuses for masked men shouting, abusing and intimidating members of the media".
It comes after groups of men dressed in balaclavas turned out in the city on Monday.
Ex home secretary James Cleverly urged the home office minister to "think about the consequences" of her words, after the Labour MP tweeted about violent scenes in her constituency.
Responding to a clip of a man in a balaclava swearing at a Sky News reporter, Phillips said: "These people came to this location because it has been spread that racists were coming to attack them.
"This misinformation was spread entirely to create this content."
Cleverly has since criticised her for the comments, writing: "Home Office ministers should not be making excuses for masked men shouting, abusing, and intimidating members of the media.
"Ministers are not commentators or casual observers, they are decision makers and need to think about the consequences of words and actions."
BBC branded 'pathetic' by Tory MP as she clashes with presenters
A Conservative MP has described two BBC presenters as "pathetic" while discussing Ben Houchen’s re-election as Teeside mayor.
Andrea Leadsom appeared to take offence after journalist Jo Cobrun pointed out Houchen's vote was down and that he never mentioned the Tories or Rishi Sunak on his election posters, when she appeared on Politics Live on Friday (3 May).
Leadsom said: "That whole discussion is absolutely pathetic from the BBC. That is pathetic. He has won and it is all credit to a mayor who has done a brilliant job."
Government 'welcomes' fines for three water firms amid wastewater investigation
Water regulator Ofwat said it has proposed £168 million of fines for three of England’s biggest water companies.
The fine follows an investigation of the water companies wastewater treatment works.
In an announcement today, Ofwat said it had “uncovered a catalogue of failure”, resulting in “excessive spills from storm overflows”.
Environment Secretary Steve Reed responded by saying: "I welcome Ofwat's action today.
"The unacceptable destruction of our waterways should never have been allowed - and it is right that those responsible for illegally polluting our rivers, lakes and seas face the consequences.
"This government will fundamentally reform the water sector.
"We have announced our first steps to clean up the water industry in our Water (Special Measures) Bill, to cut sewage pollution, protect customers and attract investment to upgrade its crumbling infrastructure.
"We will outline further legislation to transform and reset our water industry and restore our rivers, lakes and seas to good health."
Keir Starmer vows to bring end to riots with 'standing army' of specialist police officers
The Prime Minister has ordered a new "standing army" of specialist police officers in the wake of violent disorder up and down Britain.
It follows an emergency Cobra meeting with the deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, home secretary Yvette Cooper, senior officials and leading police officers including Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley.
Starmer has vowed to "name and shame" rioters after he lost patience with "the far-right thugs".
Riots continued on Monday in Plymouth - which saw six people arrested - and Birmingham.
Violence erupted last week after misinformation was shared online about the alleged attacker in the murder of three young girls in Southport.
Downing Street slaps down Elon Musk's UK 'civil war' post
Elon Musk
ReutersThe Prime Minister's spokesperson has criticised remarks by Elon Musk after he claimed that "civil war is inevitable" following violent outbursts across Britain.
The billionaire responded to a clip of protesters aiming fireworks at police.
Sir Keir Starmer's spokesperson said there was "no justification" for Musk's comments.
They added that there was more that social media companies "can and should be doing".
Liz Truss shares 'dislike' for former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak
Liz Truss
PA
Ex prime minister, Liz Truss has slammed her successor as she explains that she doesn't "get on with him personally".
Speaking about Rishi Sunak at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe show, she said: "I’m a pretty honest person. I don’t get on with him personally.
"I haven’t spoken to him since he entered Downing Street, pretty much.
"I don’t share his politics and I think he was disingenuous during the leadership contest and, frankly, he said many things I don’t approve of while he was prime minister, including attacking my record."