Read Rishi Sunak’s Friday night speech on extremism in full
Rishi Sunak issued a warning about extremism on Friday night in a speech described as “a sobering warning of the fragility of democracy”.
The PM said his Government will give officers its backing when they “take action” at pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
He made the comments during a hastily arranged address outside No 10 Downing Street on Friday in which he railed against extremism and Islamism.
He said the UK’s streets had been “hijacked” by people “hostile” to British values during protests in support of a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, which has raged for almost five months.
Read his speech in full below:
“In recent weeks and months, we have seen a shocking increase in extremist disruption and criminality. What started as protests on our streets, has descended into intimidation, threats, and planned acts of violence.
“Jewish children fearful to wear their school uniform lest it reveal their identity. Muslim women abused in the street for the actions of a terrorist group they have no connection with.
“Now our democracy
