Rishi Sunak has warned that extremists are trying to tear Britain apart as he urged the country to unite and “beat this poison”.
The Prime Minister gave a landmark speech on the steps of Downing Street on Friday following the “beyond alarming” victory of George Galloway in the Rochdale by-election this week.
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In his first live address outside No10 since becoming Prime Minister, he said: “The time has now come for us all to stand together to combat the forces of division and beat this poison.
“We must face down the extremists who would tear us apart. There must be leadership, not pandering or appeasement.”
Mr Sunak warned “our democracy itself is a target”.
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He said “we must draw a line” in response to the police’s handling of pro-Palestinian protests in the wake of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Officers stood by as the slogan “from the river to the sea” was projected onto Parliament last week when MPs voted on a ceasefire in Gaza.
The Prime Minister, who jetted back from Scotland for the momentous address, insisted people are free to march and support human rights but not to call for "violent jihad".
The Government will support the police when they take action during extremist protests, he said.
Mr Sunak said they will re-double support for the Prevent program, will demand universities stop extremist activity on campus, and act to prevent people from entering the country who’s “aim is to undermine its values”.
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He also said the Home Secretary has instructed that those in the UK on visas who choose to “spew hate” will have their right to be in the country removed.
Mr Sunak said: “I respect that the police have a tough job in policing the protests we have seen and that they are operationally independent. But we must draw a line.”
He made clear while meeting with senior police officers that “it is the public’s expectation that they will not only manage these protests but police them.”
Mr Sunak, the First British-Asian Prime Minister, added: “And I say this to the police: we will back you when you take action.
“But if we are asking more of the police, we, the Government, must back up that call with action.
The Prime Minister jetted back from Scotland for the address on Friday night (Image: Getty)
“This month the Government will implement a new robust framework with how we deal with this issue to ensure we are dealing with the root cause of this problem and that no extremist groups or organisations are being leant legitimacy by their actions and interactions with the central Government.
“You cannot be part of our civil life if your agenda is to tear it down.”
He warned that Islamist extremists and far-right groups are “spreading a poison” and “want us to believe that our country and the West more generally is solely responsible for the world’s ills”.
The Prime Minister’s statement outside Downing Street followed the Rochdale by-election on Thursday which was dominated by controversy and claims of intimidation and divisive tactics.
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George Galloway speaks after winning Rochdale by-election
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Labour withdrew support for their candidate Azhar Ali over comments he made about Israel and Jewish people.
The Opposition Party initially stood by Mr Ali when he claimed Israel had allowed the 7 October attacks by Hamas as a pretext to invade Gaza.
Mr Sunak said: “In recent weeks and months, we have seen a shocking increase in extremist disruption and criminality.
“What started as protests on our streets have descended into intimidation, threats and planned acts of violence.
“Jewish children fearful to wear their school uniform lest it reveals their identity. Muslim women abused in the street for the actions of a terrorist group they have no connection with.
"Now our democracy itself is a target. Council meetings and local events have been stormed. MPs do not feel safe in their homes. Long-standing parliamentary conventions have been upended because of safety concerns.
“And it’s beyond alarming that last night, the Rochdale by-election returned a candidate that dismisses the horror of what happened on October 7, who glorifies Hezbollah and is endorsed by Nick Griffin, the racist former leader of the BNP.”
But Mr Galloway hit back at the remarks by insisting he did not understand Mr Sunak’s suggestions that he “glorifies Hezbollah” but hoped they could discuss it on Wednesday if the Prime Minister “has the guts”.
The newly-elected MP said: “I’m not responsible for whoever declares they endorse me… I’ve never met Mr Griffin and have no intention to.
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“I don’t know what the glorifying of Hezbollah is all about but maybe he can tell me on Wednesday at Prime Minister’s Questions if he’s got the guts.”
Mr Galloway added that he “abhors extremism just as much as (Mr Sunak)” and “also agreed with him when he said change can only come through the democratic process”.
Speaking before his evening address, Mr Sunak declared the safety of politicians as "paramount" and that "too many of the things we've seen recently have crossed the line".
During a Q&A following his speech to the Scottish Conservative conference on Friday, the Prime Minister said: "You've got MPs' homes being surrounded, events locally in their areas being targeted, council meetings being disrupted.
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"Just the other week, or last week, we had antisemitic tropes being beamed onto Parliament, and we had long standing parliamentary rules changed because of fears about MPs' safety, so that is incredibly concerning.
"And I think there is a minority of people who are trying to undermine our values. I don't think that's acceptable.”
Mr Sunak warned this week that the UK is descending into “mob rule” as he told police they must use the powers they have or risk losing public confidence amid fears about MPs being targeted by demonstrators heightened by the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Tory MP Tobias Ellwood’s home was surrounded by a 100-strong group of Pro-Palestinian protesters at his his Bournemouth East constituency home last month.
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said security concerns had played a part in his decision to break with precedent and to allow Labour to table a vote during an SNP debate.
Dr Paul Stott, head of security and extremism at the Policy Exchange think tank: “The Prime Minister's striking intervention is justified by events and it is encouraging to see grievance narratives in his sights.
“When democracy is subverted by threats, action must follow. He is also right to rally the majority of all communities and faiths who are appalled at the direction the country is taking.
“We look forward to the further detail that is coming - particularly how all this will impact Islamist extremists here, and the way they are policed.”
Security minister Tom Tugendhat issued a warning to extremists threatening MPs, telling the Commons: “We will get you and you will be detained.”
Rishi Sunak holds a press conference At Downing Street (Image: Getty)
MPs shared their experiences of receiving death threats, being intimidated and concerns over protecting their families after the Government announced an extra ￡31 million to protect elected representatives.
Mr Tugendhat said the funding would mean Operation Bridger, which provides police support to MPs, is expanded to councillors, mayors, police and crime commissioners and candidates, who would have a named police officer contact for security matters.
The Prime Minister spoke to police leaders about the issues around MPs’ safety at a roundtable meeting in Downing Street on Wednesday afternoon alongside Mr Cleverly.
Mr Sunak said: “There is a growing consensus that mob rule is replacing democratic rule.
“And we’ve got to collectively, all of us, change that urgently.
George Galloway won the Rochdale by-eletion (Image: Getty)
“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.”
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Two serving MPs, Labour’s Jo Cox and Conservative Sir David Amess, have been murdered in the past eight years, with reforms to the security of parliamentarians having been introduced as a result of those killings.
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