Politics latest: Tory leadership hopeful speaking to Sky News after criticising 'unwise' rival (2024)

Speaking to Sky News, policing minister Dame Diana Johnson is asked whether the government has seen evidence of foreign interference on social media in the past days.

Dame Diana says: "I think that's something obviously across government that we are very concerned about."

She says that Peter Kyle, the technology secretary, is talking to social media compaines about what is being posted on the platform.

The minister echos calls from Ofcom for online giants to start abiding by the Online Safety Act, which has been passed into law but has not come into full effect yet.

She says the misinformation and disinformation online has come from the far-right - but "others" might also be contributing.

The Labour frontbencher is asked about Robert Jenrick's comments yesterday, where the Tory leadership hopeful questioned why people chanting Allahu akbar were not arrested during demonstrations.

Dame Diana says all politicians need to be "very careful about the language that they use".

Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson is speaking to Sky News this morning after an evening of unrest failed to materialise yesterday.

But she says she is being "cautious" over thinking the ugly scenes are over.

Dame Diana says: "I am cautious about what happened last night.

"It's good that we didn't see the level of disorder and criminality on our streets that we have in previous days, but obviously this is just the start.

"There is now further intelligence of events during the next few days, and we need to see what happens there."

The minister also praises the police for their work in the previous days to quell unrest.

Dame Diana then went on to criticise how law enforcement was run under the Conservative administrations since 2010.

She says police forces have been "hollowed out" over the past 14 years.

And there are also "a lot of young officers" because of cuts to the force before an increase in hiring since 2019.

She says: "That's a lot of young, inexperienced officers who are doing a remarkable job, I have to say.

"So I think there are some questions about how we go forward, making sure that our officers have the training and the leadership that they need."

Metropolitan Police chief Sir Mark Rowley has said the "fears of extreme-right disorder" were abated last night due to the work of police and a "show of unity from communities".

Sir Mark said he was "really pleased" with how the policing operation played out on Wednesday.

It was thought at least 100 far-right marches were planned to take place across the country, including in London.

As the night progressed, far-right protests did not happen as first thought and instead counter-protesters turned out in UK cities - including Birmingham, Liverpool and Brighton.

Sky News crime correspondent Martin Brunt said there were reports of "small pockets" of far-right protesters in places such as Portsmouth, Brighton and Blackpool.

However, he said fears about it being the biggest night of trouble faded away.

More than 6,000 specialist police had been mobilised amid fears of a repeat of the violence seen around the country over the past week.

Read more about the developmentson this story below:

The Stormont Executive and Assembly have been recalled following rioting in Belfast which police say involves "a paramilitary element".

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

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) came under sustained attack from petrol bombs, masonry and bricks in the city on Monday night.

A police Land Rover was set alight, and attempts were made to start a fire in a supermarket.

The disorder was concentrated in the same area where two businesses were targeted on Saturday following an anti-immigration demonstration - and counter protest by anti-racism campaigners - outside Belfast's City Hall.

There have been several arrests in recent days - including a boy as young as 14 - linked to allegations of race-related hate crimes, disorder and rioting.

Read more below:

By Faye Brown, political reporter

A Tory leadership hopeful has accused his rival of being "unwise and insensitive" after saying those who shout "Allahu Akbar" should be "immediately arrested".

Mel Stride took aim at fellow Tory Robert Jenrick over his comments about the Arabic phrase, which means "God is great".

He told Sky News: "I think the suggestion of wholesale criminalisation of the words Allahu Akbar is unwise and insensitive.

"Any threat in the use of these words can only ever be implied in the very rarest of circumstances.

"Context clearly matters hugely here."

The criticism came as Labour's Angela Rayner accused Mr Jenrick of "stirring up" the riots, which have gripped the UK over the past week, with mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers targeted in the violence.

We'll be speaking to Mel Stride just after 8am

Read more about the row below:

Counter-protesters have turned out in UK cities amid warnings of at least 100 far-right marches being planned for Wednesday night.

People were on the streets of towns and cities including Bristol, London, Liverpool, Birmingham and Brighton.

More than 6,000 specialist police had been mobilised amid fears of a repeat of the violence seen around the country over the past week.

Some businesses closed early, and others chose to board up windows ahead of an anticipated 8pm start time.

Solicitors and other agencies who work with asylum seekers had been warned they could be targeted.

But as the night progressed, it appeared the mass far-right protests had failed to materialise, with counter-demonstrators instead taking the initiative.

Read more about what happened last night below:

Welcome back to the Politics Hub.

The riots threatened last night didn't materialise, with thousands of counter-protesters turning out across the country instead.

Meanwhile, Conservative leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick came under criticism yesterday for saying people chanting "Allahu Akbar" on the streets should be arrested.

Speaking to Sky News this morning will be policing minister Dame Diana Johnson at 7.15am.

And Mel Stride - another candidate for the Conservative leadership - will be on after 8am.

We're bringing the Politics Hub to a close for the evening.

If you want continued live coverage of the unrest across the UK, our dedicated live blog is below:

Here's what you need to know from the political arena today:

• The head of the Metropolitan Police has attacked the"serious voices" who are spreading "complete nonsense" about two-tier policing;
• Sir Mark Rowleysaid suggestions police treated some groups differently,a claim pedalled by Nigel Farage and Elon Musk, risked legitimising violence;
• Another high-profile individual to make that allegation this morning wasRobert Jenrick, whosparked outrageafter suggesting people who shout "Allahu Akbar" - a common Islamic saying - should face arrest;
• Among his critics was Tory leadership rival Mel Stride, who said the comments were "unwise".

• It comes ahead of what's expected to be abig night of far-right rallies, including some in London;
• Mayor Sadiq Khan has warned"action will be taken" against those "spreading hatred", while Humza Yousaf, Scotland's former first minister, says the unrest has him considering leaving the UK;
• The prime minister said the "swift" sentencing of rioters today, some jailed for several years, should serve as a warning against further unrest.

Those are the main things you need to know - the Politics Hub team returns tomorrow morning from around 6am.

Have a good evening, and stay safe.

It's been perhaps the most divisive day in the Tory leadership race so far after candidate Robert Jenrick sparked criticism for suggesting those who shout "Allahu Akbar" in the streets should face arrest.

Among the critics was Mel Stride, one of the other contenders, who told Sky News the comments were "insensitive" and "unwise".

None of the other candidates have weighed in, though.

For a reminder of who else is running to replace Rishi Sunak, read this handy guide from our political reporters Tim Baker and Alix Culbertson:

The Home Office has offered support to civil servants amid the ongoing nationwide riots.

In a letter seen by Sky News, permanent secretary Matthew Rycroft acknowledged what a "worrying time" it was for many staff, their families, and the communities in which they live and work.

"The home secretary has also asked me to pass on her personal thanks to all the staff who have been working under great pressure, and outside normal hours, to support the government's response," he added.

Unlike the Commons Speaker's letter to MPs, civil servants have not been encouraged to consider working from home (see previous post).