Rishi Sunak warns that extremist forces are ‘trying to tear us apart’

He said the victory of George Galloway in the Rochdale by-election was “beyond alarming”.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak used a Downing Street address to warn that democracy is being targeted by extremists saying there are “forces here at home trying to tear us apart”.

Speaking at a lectern outside the doors of No 10, Mr Sunak warned about the current situation in Britain, in the aftermath of the October 7 attacks by Hamas against Israel.

And he said the victory of George Galloway in the Rochdale by-election was “beyond alarming”.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak makes a statement outside 10 Downing Street (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)

“In recent weeks and months, we have seen a shocking increase in extremist disruption and criminality,” he said in a hastily arranged address to the nation.

“What started as protests on our streets have descended into intimidation, threats and planned acts of violence.

“Jewish children, fearful to wear their school uniform lest it reveals their identity. Muslim women abused in the street for the actions of a terrorist group they have no connection with.

“Now our democracy itself is a target. Council meetings and local events have been stormed. MPs do not feel safe in their homes. Long-standing parliamentary conventions have been upended because of safety concerns.

“And it’s beyond alarming that last night, the Rochdale by-election returned a candidate that dismisses the horror of what happened on October 7, who glorifies Hezbollah and is endorsed by Nick Griffin, the racist former leader of the BNP.”

In his victory speech, newly elected Rochdale MP George Galloway announced that his win was “for Gaza” following a feisty campaign dominated by the conflict.

Mr Sunak, in a message aimed at those taking part in pro-Palestine protests, urged people to reject extremist messages.

The Conservative Party leader said: “I want to speak directly to those who choose to continue to protest: don’t let the extremists hijack your marches.

“Let us prove these extremists wrong and show them that even when we disagree, we will never be disunited.”

Mr Sunak said ministers would redouble their support for the anti-terrorism Prevent programme, demand universities stop extremist activity on campus and act to prevent people from entering the country whose “aim is to undermine its values”.

He also said Home Secretary James Cleverly has instructed that those in the UK on visas who choose to “spew hate” will have their right to be in the country removed.

His decision to focus on division in Britain was condemned by critics who accused the Prime Minister and other senior Tory figures of having helped “sow the seeds of division for years”.

Former deputy Tory chairman Lee Anderson was stripped of the party whip last weekend after he accused Sadiq Khan, the Labour mayor of London, of being controlled by Islamists, and Home Secretary Suella Braverman regularly branded protests in favour of a ceasefire in the Middle East as “hate marches”.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, who urged Mr Sunak to call a general election, said: “The British people will take no lessons from a Prime Minister and Conservative Party who have sowed the seeds of division for years.”

First Minister Humza Yousaf wrote on X: “To tackle hatred, leaders must be willing to call it out. The PM refused this week to condemn Lee Anderson and Suella Braverman's comments as Islamaphobic.

“Peaceful protest is at the heart of our democracy. We will always resist attempts to curtail those fundamental freedoms.”