Rishi Sunak announcement: PM plans to restrict pro-Palestine marches

During a statement outside Downing Street the Prime Minister also said people in the UK on some visas could be removed for joining certain protests, as he railed against the victory of George Galloway in the Rochdale by-election. 

Sunak said the victory of Galloway in the Rochdale by-election was “beyond alarming” and appeared to absolve himself and his government of contributing to a "poison" culture of protest in the UK. 

“In recent weeks and months, we have seen a shocking increase in extremist disruption and criminality," he said. 

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“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.”

It comes after former deputy chairman of the Conservative Party Lee Anderson (above) was suspended for claiming that Mayor of London Sadiq Khan was controlled by Islamists. 

Despite this Sunak appeared to suggest that the "extremists" he was referring to were not connected to his own party or government. 

“We are a country where we love our neighbours and we are building Britain together," he said. 

"But I fear that our great achievement in building the world’s most successful multi-ethnic, multi-faith democracy is being deliberately undermined.

“There are forces here at home trying to tear us apart. Since October 7th, there have been those trying to take advantage of the very human angst that we all feel about the terrible suffering that war brings to the innocent, to women and children, to advance a divisive, hateful ideological agenda.

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“On too many occasions recently, our streets have been hijacked by small groups who are hostile to our values and have no respect for our democratic traditions.

“Membership of our society is contingent on some simple things that you will abide by the rule of law. And that change can only come through the peaceful democratic process. Threats of violence and intimidation are alien to our way of doing things. They must be resisted at all times.

“Nearly everyone in Britain supports these basic values. But there are small and vocal hostile groups who do not. Islamist extremists, and the far right feed off and embolden each other. They are equally desperate to pretend that their violence is somehow justified, when actually these groups are two sides of the same extremist coin.”

He added that his government would back the police when they "take action" against protest, announcing that the government would implement a "new robust framework" to deal with "this issue". 

According to Sunak, the UK Government will now re-double support their for the Prevent program, demand universities stop extremist activity on campus, and act to prevent people from entering the country who’s “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.

In response to the speech, Tory MP Andrea Jenkyns said: "We need action, ban blooming hate marches, drag them off the street, and lock them up!"