His remarks came as Essex police investigated an allegation of inciting racial hatred by the Telegraph columnist Allison Pearson for allegedly posting a message on X labelling protesters as "Jew haters".
Keir Starmer said he would defend the right of the police to make operational decisions, and said they would be "held to account" for them.
His comments were made amid fierce debate on free speech after Pearson claimed she was left "dumbstruck" by a visit by police officers to her home on Remembrance Sunday over a long-deleted social media post and "accused of a non-crime hate incident". A number of people who backed far-right rioters over the summer were arrested and charged for allegedly posting tweets that were considered incitement.
Speaking to reporters as he travelled to the G20 summit in Brazil, Starmer said: "Firstly, obviously, this is a matter for the police themselves, police force by police force. So they can make their decisions and will obviously be held to account for those decisions.
"There is a review going on of this particular aspect but, you know, I think that as a general principle the police should concentrate on what matters most to their communities."
Denne historien er fra November 18, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra November 18, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Climate Crisis To Blame For Formerly 'Impossible' Heat, Studies Reveal
At least 24 previously impossible heatwaves have struck communities across the planet, a new assessment has shown, providing stark evidence of how severely human-caused global heating is supercharging extreme weather.
Borthwick claims players were unfit for start of series
Steve Borthwick has claimed his England players were not fit enough for Test rugby when they began their autumn internationals after Saturday's defeat by South Africa extended their dismal losing run.
Exciting times ahead' Carsley hails new generation as he hands over to Tuchel
Lee Carsley predicted that competition for places in Thomas Tuchel's first squad will be fiercer than ever, after his stint as England's interim head coach ended with a 5-0 thrashing of the Republic of Ireland in the Nations League.
Kane has been the defining player of a successful era, but this thing has run its course
Below the hum of the crowd every time Kane took the ball, he was rearranging his legs like a pantomime horse
Harwood-Bellis starts party as Carsley signs off with promotion
It was an England salvo of devastating power, three goals in five minutes early in the second half and it did more than reframe an occasion that had been flat and forgettable until then.
'I saw my name on the Euros list. There was shock then happiness'
Ayoze Pérez hopes to make history for Spain in Tenerife tonight after goal rush since leaving England for La Liga
Direct Doak convinces Clarke he is the present and future
Scotland's teenage forward set to keep his spot against Poland after terrorising Gvardiol in win over Croatia
Beard vents over penalty error as Everton edge derby
An exasperated Matt Beard claimed the match officials had cost his Liverpool team the Merseyside derby, after a controversial penalty enabled Everton to claim their first win of the Women's Super League season and move off the bottom of the table.
Clever Slegers impresses but Arsenal cannot rush appointment
Watching Arsenal coast to victory at Tottenham on Saturday, you could have been forgiven for forgetting that they are without a permanent manager.
Beaten, bruised England are not in crisis mode yet
Defeat by South Africa was to be expected but the Six Nations looms as kill or cure for Borthwick's project
