'WELL BEAT THIS POISON'

In a landmark speech the PM calls out the 'shocking increase' in extremism threatening to 'tear Britain apart' and urges the country to stand together...

- Steph Spyro

IN a dramatic intervention Rishi Sunak warns extremists want to tear Britain apart and backs police to take tougher action.

The impassioned PM, speaking on the steps of 10 Downing Street, made an extraordinary plea to unite against "forces of division" and "beat this poison".

Mr Sunak jetted back from Scotland after the "beyond alarming" victory of George Galloway in the Rochdale by-election following one of the most divisive campaigns in years.

He warned "our democracy itself is a target", adding "we must draw a line" in response to the police's handling of pro-Palestinian protests.

Officers were criticised for taking no action as the slogan "From the river to the sea" was projected on to Parliament last week when MPs voted on a ceasefire in Gaza.

He 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 he will re-double support for the Prevent programme, demand universities stop extremist activity on campuses, and act to prevent people from entering the country whose aim "is to undermine its values".

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 PM, 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.