Home Office minister warns those planning on organising further disorder ‘we will be watching you’
There is potential for more violence in the wake of the Southport attack, a Home Office minister has said, as he warned those planning on organising further disorder “we will be watching you”.
Asked how concerned the government is about the prospect of further disorder on the streets this weekend, David Hanson told LBC Radio:
There is that potential. But I always say to anybody who’s organising this, we will be watching you. If you are organising this now, we will be watching you.
We have powers under existing legislation to stop you organising this now and to take action accordingly, and if you do take action and are not part of any organised group, be prepared to face the full force of the law on this criminal activity.”
Asked whether those involved are from the far right, he said:
Some individuals will have far-right opinions, in my view, some might be caught up in the summer madness. Some might be people who’ve got genuine concerns.
Whatever those concerns are, there are mechanisms where they can raise them with their member of parliament, they can peacefully protest and they can take those issues forward.”
Key events
Badenoch campaign team member used offensive names about a councillor
Rowena Mason
Kemi Badenoch has brought in a Conservative councillor to help on her leadership bid who referred to a female politician in a vulgar manner in a message to another colleague.
Badenoch has Tory councillor Oliver Cooper on her team despite it having emerged in legal action that he had sent messages in 2017 about a female councillor to another activist calling her offensive names.
Among other things, he called her a “cunt” and a “fuckwit”.
Badenoch named Cooper as a point of contact on her leadership team when she emailed Tory councillors this week aiming to drum up support for her bid, announced on Monday.
In her email to councillors, Badenoch said:
There has been too much fighting, too much back-biting and too much drama in Westminster. Our party must, once again, be based on honesty, straight-talking and effectiveness in Westminster, just as it is all across the country.”
The existence of the messages was made public in legal action in 2020 when a Tory activist unsuccessfully tried to sue Hampstead Conservatives, Cooper and others for removing him from the candidates’ list while he was suffering from mental ill health.
The activist’s court action was thrown out by the judge, who ruled it was brought in the wrong court and criticised the activist’s conduct towards the defendants by using threatening behaviour to try to get himself reinstated as a candidate.
Friends of Cooper said the messages were sent privately to the activist, and were an example of him letting off steam and trying to cheer up a friend who was suffering difficult times.
Asked about the messages and his role on Badenoch’s team, Cooper said:
I deeply regret sending those messages, but they were sent privately to someone who needed support. They do not reflect the way I think or act, then or now.
That same person has waged a six-year campaign of vicious harassment against me, which led to a high court judge condemning the individual in the strongest terms and awarding me full costs.”
You can read more of this story here:
South Yorkshire police said it was “aware of a planned protest in Rotherham this weekend” and that there may be “an increased police presence across the county”.
A force spokesperson said:
We are aware of heightened tensions nationally following the tragic incident in Southport earlier this week.
We are engaging with our communities across all areas of the force, and are continuing to monitor any local concerns.
People may see an increased police presence across the county, as we carry out this work. We are also aware of a planned protest in Rotherham this weekend.
As with all protests, our role at any planned events will be to balance the rights of those who wish to protest, together with those who may be impacted by it. While a protest may be peaceful and non-violent, on occasion we are aware the actions of protesters may not always be legal.
Our officers will aim to prevent, where possible, crime and disorder. Where it does occur, we will provide an effective, lawful and proportionate response.”
Insurance boss issues warning over using pensions to drive UK growth
Julia Kollewe
The boss of Royal London, the UK’s biggest insurance group owned by its members, has expressed caution about Labour’s ambition to use pensions to drive economic growth, as he warned of a “ticking timebomb” and urged the government to make greater saving for retirement a priority.
The new chancellor, Rachel Reeves, is launching a landmark pensions review, and pledged a “big bang” for private pension funds, as the government wants to unlock billions of pounds to invest in UK infrastructure and housing.
However, Barry O’Dwyer, the Royal London chief executive, expressed reservations on Friday. “With an estimated £3tn invested in UK pensions, it is understandable pensions are viewed as being able to play a powerful role in supporting UK economic growth,” he said. “However, it is important to remember the primary role of pensions is to fund customers’ retirement.”
A taskforce of industry executives and ministers will propose ways to cut costs and improve investment options, allowing retirement scheme managers to boost pension pots by up to £11,000. The taskforce will also consider making it easier for pension funds to broaden their investment strategies to include a larger slice of UK businesses.
O’Dwyer said on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme:
In so many ways, we want what [the government] want. They want savers to get the best possible returns. They want to tackle the barriers to pension schemes investing into UK productive assets. That’s all music to our ears.”
However, he added:
Where we might want to go further and faster is to get people saving more for retirement. Four in 10 people of working age aren’t saving enough. It’s a ticking timebomb, and we need to defuse it.
The government is rightly focused on growth, and getting people to save might not be their top priority in the short-term, but the government also wants to help people to do right by themselves. No one wants to see a generation retire into poverty.”
You can read the full piece here:
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said it is aware of calls “to block roads using women and children” and for a march to an Islamic centre in Belfast to be held on Saturday.
According to the PA news agency, PSNI Ch Supt Stephen Murray said:
Police are aware of social media posts calling for protests across Northern Ireland this Saturday, 3rd of August.
We are aware of specific calls to block roads using women and children between 12 midday to 2pm in Newtownabbey, Carrickfergus, Bangor and north, south, east and west Belfast.
We are also aware of calls for protest at 12 midday at Belfast city hall and a 1pm march to the Islamic Centre, University Road, Belfast.
To date no such procession has been notified to the parades commission. It is unclear at this time what the actual provenance for these posts or appetite for this activity is.
We will continue to plan a proportionate policing response and will continue to engage with those groups likely to be affected by any protest activity.”
Lisa Nandy held crisis talks with BBC bosses on Thursday evening as Keir Starmer said he was “shocked and appalled” by the Huw Edwards scandal.
After the culture secretary’s meeting, a Department for Culture, Media and Sport spokesperson said:
The BBC is operationally and editorially independent, but given the incredibly serious nature of this issue, the secretary of state has spoken to the BBC to raise concerns on a number of points regarding the handling of their own investigations into Huw Edwards, what safeguards and processes had been followed in this case, and additionally, what further action may be taken, especially with regard to the handling of licence-fee payers’ money.”
Edwards, who was previously the BBC’s highest-paid newsreader and the face of the News at 10 bulletin, admitted three charges of making indecent photographs. He was sent 41 illegal images by the convicted paedophile Alex Williams, seven of which were of the most serious type.
Culture secretary Lisa Nandy has said she will be speaking with sporting bodies about “inclusion, fairness and safety” after what she described as an “incredibly uncomfortable watch” when asked about the Olympic boxing controversy.
But Nandy said the “biological facts are far more complicated than is being presented on social media” as she spoke about Italian fighter Angela Carini having abandoned her bout against Algeria’s Imane Khelif this week.
The secretary of state for culture, media and sport told the BBC:
It was an incredibly uncomfortable watch for the 46 seconds that it lasted. I know that there’s a lot of concern about women competitors, about whether we’re getting the balance right in not just boxing but other sports as well.
The decision that successive governments have made is that these are complex decisions that should be made by sporting bodies. In this case, for example, I understand that the biological facts are far more complicated than is being presented on social media and in some of the speculation.
I think as sporting bodies try to get that balance between inclusion, fairness and safety, there is a role for government to make sure that they’ve got the guidance and the framework, and the support, to make those decisions correctly and it’s something that I’ll be talking to sporting bodies about over the coming weeks and months.”
Merseyside police has made seven arrests related to the violent disorder in Southport on Tuesday evening, with further arrests to be made over the coming weeks, the force has said.
DCI Tony Roberts said:
Following the disorder on Tuesday evening, we have now made seven arrests and further arrests will be made over the coming weeks.
Extensive work is ongoing to identify all those responsible for the despicable actions and we are determined to find everyone involved in this incident.
We continue to explore all lines of inquiry, which includes a specialist team who are currently reviewing hundreds of hours of footage as well as images to identify everyone involved. If you took part in this disorder, you can expect to receive a knock on your door by our officers.
We would continue to appeal to anyone who has information or video footage of those involved in the shocking disorder on Tuesday night to come forward so we can identify and arrest those responsible.”
UK shelves £1.3bn of funding for technology and AI projects
Julia Kollewe
The new Labour government has shelved £1.3bn of funding pledged by the Conservatives for technology and artificial intelligence projects, putting the future of the UK’s first next-generation supercomputer in doubt.
The projects, announced last year, include £800m for the creation of an exascale supercomputer at the University of Edinburgh and a further £500m for the AI Research Resource, which funds computing power for AI.
The government argues that these were “unfunded commitments”. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said the funding had been promised by the previous government but had not been allocated in its spending plans.
A spokesperson said:
We are absolutely committed to building technology infrastructure that delivers growth and opportunity for people across the UK.
The government is taking difficult and necessary spending decisions across all departments in the face of billions of pounds of unfunded commitments. This is essential to restore economic stability and deliver our national mission for growth.”
About £300m in funding for the AI Research Resource has already been distributed and continues as planned.
However, the shadow science secretary, Andrew Griffith, said when the election was called, ministers had been advised by officials that the department was likely to underspend its budget for the current financial year.
He added:
This is a terrible blow to the UK tech sector and could be just the start of Labour cuts. During the election, Labour refused to commit to growing the amount the UK spends on research, yet that’s a core part of growing a modern economy. If DSIT can’t get the funds from the Treasury, this means university research can expect to be hit, too.”
You can read more on this story here:
Earlier, we reported that police forces have been urged to step up patrols outside mosques and asylum seeker accommodation amid plans for at least 19 far-right rallies across England in coming days.
The PA news agency says it has found evidence of at least 15 rallies advertised online, some calling for participants to take England flags, and a number contain phrases such as “enough is enough”, “save our kids” or “stop the boats”.
The rallies are being planned for areas such as Southport, Leeds and Bristol, it adds. Two counter-protests are also being advertised online, reports the news agency.
Liverpool city region mayor Steve Rotheram said he was “concerned” that there could be a “repeat of violence somewhere in the Liverpool city region”, but added: “We know exactly what we’d need to do to ensure that these things are nipped in the bud.”
My colleagues, Josh Halliday and Neha Gohil, have added the following details to their report:
The Guardian has seen details of at least 19 far-right rallies being planned for the coming days in towns and cities across England. Many of the events are taking place under the banner “enough is enough” and “protect our kids” – the same slogan used by demonstrators outside Downing Street on Wednesday evening. More than 110 people were arrested after protesters clashed with police.
Counter-demonstrations are due to take place in Manchester and Liverpool amid fears that anti-immigration groups are feeling emboldened by the unrest inspired by the Southport murders.”
Meghan Gallacher becomes latest MSP to confirm bid for Scottish Conservative leadership
Scottish Conservative deputy leader Meghan Gallacher has become the latest MSP to confirm she is running for the top job in the party.
The Central Scotland regional MSP announced her candidacy on Friday, saying she offers a “new beginning” for the Tories in Scotland.
She joins two other Tory MSPs – former crime journalist and current Holyrood justice spokesperson Russell Findlay and ex-Olympic athlete Brian Whittle – who have declared they will run to succeed Douglas Ross.
Others including veteran MSP Murdo Fraser, who was defeated by Ruth Davidson in a leadership bid in 2011, are understood to be considering whether they will run, reports the PA news agency.
Gallacher, a former councillor first elected to Holyrood in 2021, became the party’s deputy leader in 2022.
In a video posted on social media, she said:
The next few weeks will be important in shaping the future of our party. Scotland knows what we stand against, but do they know what we stand for?
This leadership election presents the opportunity for a reset – to renew our offering to the people of Scotland and to our membership who have stood by us through the good times and the bad.”
Gallacher said she wants to build a “modern, centre-right party” with policies focusing on low taxes, property ownership, supporting families and protecting “rights and liberties”.
Pitching herself as a “bold, dynamic and fresh-faced” leader, she said she would deliver a “new beginning for the Scottish Conservatives”.
Meanwhile, Whittle wrote in the Telegraph that it is time to discuss ending free tuition and prescriptions in Scotland.
He said:
Having these conversations will be hard, not least because Labour and the SNP will see it as a golden opportunity to attack us, but I believe Scotland is ready to have those conversations.”
Having these difficult discussions will earn “respect” from voters, he added.
On Thursday, the Scottish Conservatives announced the new leader will be in place by the end of September. Nominations formally open on 8 August and close on 22 August.
Responding to the prime minister’s press conference on far-right violence yesterday afternoon, Amanda Onwuemene, Green party spokesperson for policing and domestic safety, said:
We all have the right to feel safe in our streets, our homes and our places of worship and it’s absolutely right that the prime minister is taking seriously the horrific racist violence we have seen across the country in recent days.
But let’s be clear – this isn’t a problem that we can police our way out of. Instead, we need to look at the root causes of racism, Islamophobia and violence, and tackle radicalisation at its sources using a joined-up approach across public services.
We also need our elected leaders to step up and condemn racism and Islamophobia wherever it rears its ugly head – not just when it flares into rioting – be that in our communities, in the media, or in the Houses of Parliament.”
Home Office minister warns those planning on organising further disorder ‘we will be watching you’
There is potential for more violence in the wake of the Southport attack, a Home Office minister has said, as he warned those planning on organising further disorder “we will be watching you”.
Asked how concerned the government is about the prospect of further disorder on the streets this weekend, David Hanson told LBC Radio:
There is that potential. But I always say to anybody who’s organising this, we will be watching you. If you are organising this now, we will be watching you.
We have powers under existing legislation to stop you organising this now and to take action accordingly, and if you do take action and are not part of any organised group, be prepared to face the full force of the law on this criminal activity.”
Asked whether those involved are from the far right, he said:
Some individuals will have far-right opinions, in my view, some might be caught up in the summer madness. Some might be people who’ve got genuine concerns.
Whatever those concerns are, there are mechanisms where they can raise them with their member of parliament, they can peacefully protest and they can take those issues forward.”
Nigel Farage is giving ‘legitimacy’ to violent rioters, says Liverpool city region mayor
Liverpool city region mayor Steve Rotheram said Nigel Farage was giving “legitimacy” to violent rioters and “excusing them”.
Rotheram told ITV’s Good Morning Britain on Friday:
Whilst senior politicians like Farage should be condemning these people – he’s not, he’s excusing them.
He’s giving them some legitimacy to go out and perpetrate some of these acts.”
Former head of counter-terrorism policing Neil Basu said Farage “should think very carefully” about “the power of his words”.
Asked about comments made by the Reform UK leader, Basu told the programme:
That is a far-right politician once again trying to direct policing and law and order. He doesn’t speak for tens of millions of people, the prime minister does – who has to serve the whole population, not just the ones he likes.
And this is not the first time a politician has tried to interfere with operational policing, particularly from that section of politics.”
Basu warned that police forces could be facing a “long, hot summer”.
In case you missed Keir Starmer’s announcement yesterday of a new violent disorder unit, this piece by my colleagues, Vikram Dodd and Aletha Adu, has the details.
Also, as mentioned in the opening post on this blog, police in England have been urged to protect mosques as the far right plans more rallies. Josh Halliday and Neha Gohil have sent the following report:
‘People absolutely have the right to protest but not the right to riot’, says government adviser
Good morning and welcome to the Guardian’s latest UK politics live blog. I’m Amy and I’ll be bringing you the latest updates today.
John Woodcock, the UK government’s adviser on political violence and disruption, says police should be prepared to step in if it appears troublemakers are travelling to incite riots.
Woodcock, who is a crossbench peer, said disinformation contributed to the unrest which broke out in a number of locations around England after the Southport attack.
He told the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland radio programme there was a “concerted and coordinated” attempt to spread the violence.
Woodcock said:
Clearly, some of those far-right actors have got a taste for this and are trying to provoke similar in towns and cities across the UK.”
Asked about the best way to prevent the riots, he said protests were sometimes being used as a cover for “violent action”.
He said:
The police should be prepared to step in where they can. Where there is these kinds of gatherings which are just designed to be fanning the flames of violence, [they] should be stopping people gathering.
People absolutely have the right to protest in this country, but they do not have the right to riot.”
Woodcock’s comments come after the prime minister, Keir Starmer, announced a “national capability” will be established to tackle violent disorder and rioters. Starmer also warned social media firms they had a responsibility to clamp down on misinformation.
Police forces have been urged to step up patrols outside mosques and asylum seeker accommodation amid plans for at least 19 far-right rallies across England in coming days.
Violent demonstrations have spread from Southport to London, Hartlepool, Manchester and Aldershot after the stabbing at a children’s holiday club on Monday.
I’ve been advised by the moderators that comments will not be open today for reasons of sensitivity, plus the risk of contempt of court now that legal proceedings are active. So, if you want to get in touch then please email me at amy.sedghi@guardian.co.uk.
