Keir Starmer vows to 'stamp out hatred' and issues warning over 'extreme racism' in address to nation

Oliver Partridge
Thu, 30 Apr 2026 06:15:08 +0000

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to “stamp out hatred” and protect British Jews following a terror incident in Golders Green yesterday in a public address to the nation.

Speaking this afternoon, Sir Keir thanked the Jewish security services and the police for “preventing a much greater tragedy”.

He went on to say he would introduce stronger powers and increase funding to support Britain’s Jewish community.

He said: “At moments like this, we often say, this is not Britain, that these attacks are an affront to British values, to British tolerance, British decency, but they keep happening don't they?

“And so today, instead, I will simply say that our values are not a gift, handed down, generation to generation. They are something we earn each day through action. They come from us.

“Antisemitism is an old, old hatred. History shows that the roots are deep. And if you turn away, it grows back.

“Yet far too many people in this country diminish it. They either don't see it, or they don't want to see it.

“Take the marches that happen regularly across Britain. Of course, we protect freedom of speech and peaceful protest in this country but if you are marching with people wearing pictures of paragliders without calling it out, you are venerating the murder of Jews.

“If you stand alongside people who say globalise the Intafada, you are calling for terrorism against Jews.

“And people who use that phrase should be prosecuted. It is racism, extreme racism, and it has left a minority community in this country scared and intimidated, wondering if they belong.”

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Security Minister offers reassurance amid terror threat level increase

Security Minister Dan Jarvis has issued a statement of reassurance to the British public as the terror threat level has raised to severe.

He said: "The terrorism level in the UK has been rising for some time now, driven primarily by the broader Islamist and extreme right terrorist threat, and activity carried out by those here in the UK.

"I know this will be extremely concerning for people right around the UK, particularly those in our Jewish communities who have suffered so much in recent time.

"But I can provide a reassurance to the public that our world class intelligence service and police force are working night and day to keep our country safe."

Met Police chief erupts at Zack Polanski as he accuses Green leader of fueling 'rising tensions'

The Metropolitan Police chief has fired back at Zack Polanski as he accused the Green leader of fueling "rising tensions".

Mr Polanski had reshared a highly critical social media post that read: "So essentially his officers were repeatedly and violently kicking a mentally ill man in the head when he was already incapacitated by a taser."

Bodycam footage, released by the Metropolitan Police yesterday, showed two police officers taking down a Somali-born British national holding a knife after he allegedly stabbed two Jewish men in Golders Green.

The officers fired Tasers and could be heard shouting, "Get down on the ground," and "Take the Taser" as the man collapsed to the ground.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Ed Davey offers solidarity to Jewish community and affirms calls to ban IRGC

Sir Ed Davey has repeated his calls for the The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps to be banned by the Government, following the terror attack in Golders Green.

Speaking to broadcasters this afternoon about yesterday's attack, the Lib Dem leader said: "It's a horrific incident, and it shows that we still haven't done enough to keep British Jews safe on the streets of our country. So we've got to do far more.

"I think we have to ban organizations like the IRGC from Iran, who have actually attacked British Jews in the past and have spread the hate. So we have to be serious about the IRGC."

He added that his message to the Jewish community is "we stand with you and we want to listen to you".

"You are part of our country, we are proud. We've got a British Jewish community here, and we want to make sure you are safe every day, wherever you go."

He also confirmed he will be visiting Golders Green after the bank holiday weekend.

Sadiq Khan issues statement as UK terror threat raised to 'severe'

Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan has urged Londoners to “remain calm and vigilant” after the UK terrorism threat level was raised.

Sir Sadiq said: “I want to reassure all Londoners and visitors that we are doing everything possible to protect our city and keep all of our communities safe.

“Our emergency services prepare day in, day out for these situations. Our plans are well rehearsed and well prepared with specialist officers working around the clock to disrupt and foil plots - including the threat of foreign states conducting hostile acts against the UK.

“I would urge all Londoners and visitors to remain calm and vigilant, and to report anything suspicious to the police.

“There will be additional police officers on London’s streets over the coming days - including additional armed officers – they are there to help our police service to keep us all safe. Particularly London’s Jewish communities who we know have been targeted and are feeling particularly afraid following recent attacks.

"Those who seek to harm and divide us through barbaric acts of terrorism will never succeed. We will never be cowed by terrorism.”

Home Secretary speaks out on Golders Green attack as UK terror threat level increased to 'severe'

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has urged people to be “vigilant”, as she announced the UK terrorism threat level has been raised.

She said: "Yesterday’s abhorrent, antisemitic attack was a vile act of terrorism. My thoughts today remain with the victims, and with the whole Jewish community at a time of deep disquiet and fear.

“My deepest thanks go to the volunteers and emergency services, a number of whom I met today. Their actions saved lives and they are, and forever will be, heroes.

“Today, the national threat level has increased to ‘severe’, which means a terrorist attack is considered highly likely.

“I know this will be a source of concern to many, particularly amongst our Jewish community, who have suffered so much.

“The Government has today announced a significant increase in investment to protect our Jewish communities, with record funding for policing and security at synagogues, schools and community centres. And we will do everything in our power to rid society of the evil of antisemitism.

“As the threat level rises, I urge everyone to be vigilant, as they go about their daily lives, and report any concerns they have to the police. And I can assure everyone that our world-class security services and the police are working, day and night, to keep our country safe.”

Reform UK calls for more police resource as crime pushes UK to 'breaking point and anarchy'

Reform UK has called for all frontline police officers to be armed with tasers at it claimed “mass illegal migration” is pushing Scotland’s largest city to “breaking point and anarchy”.

Thomas Kerr, a Glasgow councillor who defected from the Tories to Nigel Farage’s party and is now running for Holyrood, claimed the city has “become lawless with a rapid rise in rapes and sexual assaults”.

Speaking while campaigning in Glasgow, party members said they want to see all frontline officers issued with tasers, saying only around 2,000 officers in Scotland can currently use the devices.

They said a nationwide rollout of tasers in Police Scotland would protect the public and police - saying there were 7,159 assaults on police officers and staff in 2024-25 - the equivalent of almost 20 attacks a day.

Reform also wants to see 1,000 more officers recruited, and says police should no longer have to respond to call-outs for mental health issues, with these dealt with by medical professionals.

Met Police Commissioner hits back at Zack Polanski for 'misinformed' judgement on Golders Green response

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has criticised Green party leader Zack Polanski for sharing an “inaccurate and misinformed” social media post about the way his officers arrested the Golders Green terror suspect.

The Green Party leader reposted a tweet which accused officers of "repeatedly and violently kicking a mentally ill man in the head when he was already incapacitated by taser".

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "Our brave officers confronted a man they believed to be a terrorist, who refused to show his hands, who was violent, and who continued to pose a clear threat.

"Using only their training, courage and tasers, they detained him while he continued to try to attack and stab them. This took true courage."

Campaign Against Antisemitism says Prime Minister's words are 'no longer enough'

The Campaign Against Antisemitism has said words are “no longer enough” and called for a “timeline for action” following Sir Keir Starmer’s statement.

Reacting to the Prime Minister's national address, a spokesman for the CAA said: “This is the second time since October 2023 that an embattled Prime Minister has belatedly given a strong speech on antisemitism that finally says what we’ve been saying all along but comes with no timeline for action.

“Words are no longer enough. Everything that the Prime Minister has said this afternoon could have been enacted over the past two years of this premiership, and he has only said them now because more Jews have been injured and we announced a rally outside Downing Street calling for a plan.

”We are fed up of words - we need action - and the Prime Minister still gave no sense of timeline of when that action will be forthcoming. This is a national emergency. Where is the urgency?”

Nick Timothy slams Labour for being 'ideologically incapable of getting tough on crime'

Conservative Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy has accused Labour of being “ideologically incapable of getting tough on crime”.

His comments come as the number of criminals being recalled to prison in England and Wales has hit a 10-year high, after more than 60,000 inmates were freed early to cut jail overcrowding.

But the Ministry of Justice said the rise in the number of prisoners being sent back to jail was a “symptom of our prisons being left to reach the brink of collapse, which is why we took tough and immediate action to avoid this catastrophe”.

“Now we are building 14,000 prison places and reforming sentencing so our jails reduce reoffending, cut crime, and keep victims safe,” a department spokeswoman added.

'We need to be open to learning further lessons' says Prime Minister

Sir Keir Starmer said the Government needed to be “open to learning any further lessons” on its Prevent anti-extremism programme after the Golders Green attack.

Asked whether Prevent was working, given the suspect had been reported to the programme, the Prime Minister said: “The investigation is obviously still ongoing, and so we haven’t got all the facts yet.

“But prevent was reviewed and we made changes after the Southport attack.

“We need to be open to learning any further lessons that may come out of this investigation, but we’re a very early stage at this point.”

The Prime Minister declined to apologise to British Jews following a string of attacks on the community.

Keir Starmer warns against calls for terrorism against Jews on British streets

Sir Keir Starmer said those attending pro-Palestine marches standing “alongside people who say ‘globalise the intifada’, you are calling for terrorism against Jews”.

He said: “Take the marches that happen regularly across Britain.

“Of course, we protect freedom of speech and peaceful protest in this country, but if you are marching with people wearing pictures of paragliders without calling it out, you are venerating the murder of Jews.

“If you stand alongside people who say, ‘globalise the Intifada’, you are calling for terrorism against Jews, and people who use that phrase should be prosecuted.

“It is racism, extreme racism, and it has left a minority community in this country scared, intimidated, wondering if they belong.

“So I say again, this Government will do everything in our power to stamp this hatred out, we will strengthen our security and protect our Jewish community.

“But I also call on everyone decent in this country to open their eyes to Jewish pain, Jewish suffering and Jewish fear.”

Prime Minister highlights 'scared' Jews in Britain

Sir Keir Starmer said Jews in the UK are “scared”, and that the anxiety became “terror” in the Golders Green attack.

He said: “And so people are scared, scared to show who they are in their community, scared to go to synagogue to practice their religion, scared to go to university as a Jew, to send their children to school as a Jew, to tell their colleagues that they are Jewish, even to use our NHS.

“Nobody should live like that in Britain, but Jews do.

“And so yesterday, this anxiety that is always there went to another place, to terror, frankly. That is the right word.”

'This is not Britain' says Keir Starmer

The Prime Minister claimed British values are "earned each day", and the attack in Golders Green was "not Britain."

He said: "Antisemitism is an old, old hatrid, history shows the roots are deep, and if you turn away it grows back."

Sir Keir added that many people "don't see it, or don't want to see it."

Prime Minister addresses Government response to Golders Green attack

Sir Keir Starmer is now speaking live from Downing Street to address the nation on the Government's response to the Golders Green attack.

He said No10 will work with the justice system to speed up sentencing of perpetrators of terror attacks on British soil, and will fast track legislation to prevent future attacks.

"We can and we will bring the full power of the state to bear on this."

Keir Starmer to address the nation

Sir Keir Starmer is expected to address the nation from Downing Street in the next 15 minutes.

The Prime Minister will provide an update on the Government’s response to the Golders Green terrorist attack.

'You belong here', says Prime Minister in X post addressing Jewish community

Sir Keir Starmer told Jewish people they belong in the UK in a social media post after visiting Golders Green today.

The Prime Minister posted on X: “Yesterday’s terror attack wasn’t an isolated incident, it was the latest attack on the Jewish community for being Jewish.

“Today I spoke with volunteers, first responders from Shomrim and Hatzola to thank them for their bravery.

“I know that this is a deeply worrying time for the whole community.

“My Government is taking immediate action.

“We’ve increased enhanced funding for police patrols and protective security and we’re fast-tracking legislation to deal with malign state actors.

“My message to Jewish people is this: you belong here, and we will do everything we can to keep you safe.”

Keir Starmer praises emergency response to Golders Green attack on visit

The Prime Minister told volunteers at a Jewish community ambulance centre in Golders Green how much he “appreciated” their response to the suspected terror attack.

Speaking to the group at Hatzola Northwest, Sir Keir said the attacks “could have been a lot worse” if it had not been for the work of the emergency personnel.

He added that he felt it was “really important” for him to come to Golders Green the day after the attack.

'We must do more' says former Prime Minister in aftermath of Golders Green attack

Former prime minister Baroness Theresa May has said she agrees with Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis’s warning that “words of condemnation are no longer sufficient” after the Golders Green double stabbing.

Lady May wrote on X: “Yesterday’s attack in Golders Green, and the escalating attacks of recent months, have shown, beyond doubt, that we must do more to protect our Jewish community.

“Without its Jews, Britain would not be Britain. In the first instance we must now see better policing of marches which have created a dangerous atmosphere of intimidation and violence.”

​Chris Philp declares Britain must 'stop importing terrorism' after Golders Green stabbing: 'Enough is enough!'

Chris Philp has called for emergency legislation to be passed to ban Iran’s IRGC following a terror attack in Golders Green on Wednesday.

Speaking to GB News, the Shadow Home Secretary said that the UK must "stop importing extremism and terrorism", declaring "enough is enough".

Reacting to the Government’s announcement of more £25million more to protect Jewish communities, he told GB News: "Well, it's come too late.

"We've been calling for it for some time, and had the Government listened to what we were saying a few months ago, then perhaps yesterday's tragedy could have been averted."

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Zia Yusuf pledges to deport Golders Green suspect after stripping him of British citizenship

Zia Yusuf has pledged to deport the Golders Green suspect after stripping him of British citizenship under a Reform Government.

The Somalian-born terror suspect is currently in custody following his arrest yesterday.

Reform UK's home affairs spokesman said: "The suspect in the Golders Green attack was born in Somalia and granted British citizenship.

"If found guilty, I would use the Home Secretary’s existing powers under the British Nationality Act 1981 to strip him of his citizenship and deport him from our shores."

WATCH: Nigel Farage demands 'leadership' from Keir Starmer as fury mounts amongst Jewish community

Nigel Farage has demanded "leadership" from Sir Keir Starmer following the Golders Green terror attack.

Speaking to GB News, the Reform UK leader said: "Expressing solidarity and support frankly isn't much use, because it keeps happening.

"The intervals between these awful assaults get shorter and shorter, and I think there is a sense here in this community that there is sort of a rapid downward spiral of events that actually does now make this an emergency.

"And the Prime Minister keeps saying, 'my thoughts and prayers are with the Jewish community'. I'm sorry, it's absolutely useless.

"Maybe I'm misreading it, but I sense this morning amongst this community that yes, there's fear, of course, but it's almost bordering on anger."

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO HERE.

Zack Polanski sparks backlash after controversial social media post

Zack Polanski has sparked serious backlash after he reshared a social media post suggesting police were excessively heavy-handed during the arrest of the Golders Green terror suspect.

The Green Party leader reposted a tweet which accused officers of "repeatedly and violently kicking a mentally ill man in the head when he was already incapacitated by taser".

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "Our brave officers confronted a man they believed to be a terrorist, who refused to show his hands, who was violent, and who continued to pose a clear threat.

"Using only their training, courage and tasers, they detained him while he continued to try to attack and stab them. This took true courage."

In response to Mr Polanski's repost, Home Office minister Mike Tapp said he was "disgusted that anyone with this view is leading any political party".

"The Green Party has hit a new low," he slammed.

Another Labour MP said: "Zack Polanski's sympathy for a marauding antisemitic terrorist rather than his victims shows why his Green Party is so dangerous.

"How can anyone watch that video from Golders Green and not feel proud of the way those brave police officers wrestled with the attacker who would not let go of his knife?"

PICTURED: Keir Starmer's convoy drives past protesters in Golders Green

Golders Green victim accuses Labour of making British capital 'not safe for Jewish people'

A victim of the Golders Green stabbing yesterday has accused Labour of making the British capital "not safe for Jewish people".

Shilome Rand, 34, claimed the Government was "not doing its job" after he was stabbed during the north London horror attack.

"I definitely feel that the Government has let us down," Mr Rand said, adding that the "streets of London are not safe for Jewish people".

Mr Rand is now recuperating in the hospital.

Labour mayor declares Andy Burnham would make a 'great' PM - and says Keir Starmer has 'a lot to do'

A Labour mayor has said Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham would make a "great" Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, North East Mayor Kim McGuiness told The Telegraph Sir Keir Starmer had "a lot to do" to restore trust from Britons ahead of next Thursday's round of local elections.

"Look, I think Andy Burnham would make a great prime minister. But he’s not an MP and there isn’t a leadership contest," she admitted.

Prime Minister calls for criminal justice agencies to act in 'swift, agile and visible way' after Golders Green attack

Sir Keir Starmer has responded to yesterday's suspected terror attack in Golders Green, calling for the criminal justice system to respond “a swift, agile and visible way”.

This comment came as part of a meeting the Prime Minister has convened with criminal justice agencies in response to yesterday's stabbing in north London.

'The Greens scare me most for Britain's future,' top Tory says

Top Tory MP Claire Coutinho has said that the Greens "scare her most" when it comes to looking towards Britain's future.

"This is a party that wants to legalise heroin, that wants to shut down all our nuclear power plants, that wants to ban salaries, eventually, over £200,000 — that's the entire one per cent that pays 28 per cent of the taxes," the Shadow Energy Secretary said.

Speaking at a Spectator event in the heart of Westminster, she added: "That is the worry I have: them in a coalition of the Left."

Shabana Mahmood 'couldn't care less' about rumours Home Secretary could be catapulted out of Cabinet role

Shabana Mahmood has said she "couldn't care less" about rumours that Sir Keir Starmer could be eyeing up a Cabinet reshuffle.

Labour insiders have suggested the Prime Minister could carry out a shake-up of his top team in what officials have branded "the last gasp of a dying man".

Rumours have suggested Ms Mahmood could be out of her high-flying role after her migration crackdown was received poorly by a gaggle of left-leaning Labour MPs.

But the Home Secretary has remained unflinching - and told Sky News she simply "couldn't care less" about the Westminster chitchat.

Suella Braverman accuses British universities of 'selling immigration, not education'

Reform MP and education spokeswoman Suella Braverman has accused British universities of "selling immigration" instead of education.

Mrs Braverman said: "Last year, about 250,000 foreign students took up taxpayer-funded student loans to pay for their courses in the UK, worth £4billion. This is not fair.

"A Reform Government will make sure that the British taxpayer is not paying for foreign students. Let’s put British students first."

Labour must tackle underlying causes of antisemitism, minister tells GB News

Labour must tackle the underlying causes of antisemitism, Home Office minister Dan Jarvis has told GB News.

The £25million set aside to protect Jewish communities in Britain will provide additional protective security, with the Metropolitan Police and other forces able to put a greater presence in place.

Dan Jarvis told the People's Channel: "We have something called Operation Servitor, which means that plainclothes police officers will be operating to provide a greater level of coverage."

He added: "But you're right. We need to address the underlying causes. And that's specifically why we've got work taking place to look at antisemitism that we've seen in schools, in colleges, in our universities and in our NHS.

"The additional money that's gone into that work, because we need to make sure that wherever anti-Semitism raises its head, we will respond and stop it from happening."

'An attack on Jews in our country is an attack on us all,' Home Office Minister tells GB News

Home Office Minister Dan Jarvis has told GB News "an attack on Jews in our country is an attack on us all".

Mr Jarvis joined GB News this morning to announce an extra funding boost of £25million to protect Jewish communities in the wake of the terror attack in Golders Green yesterday.

Whitehall confirmed legislation will be fast-tracked to target individuals acting on behalf of state-sponsored groups in the coming weeks.

He said: "We do take these concerns incredibly seriously. I completely understand that the nature of the threat that Jewish communities are facing.

"We will do whatever is required to counter that threat, and we stand in solidarity with those Jewish communities who have been attacked."

Chris Philp calls for immediate ban on Iran's IRGC

On GB News, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has called for an immediate ban on Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

His call echoes a barrage of demands to outlaw the paramilitary group after much of the western world had already done so, including the US, Canada, Australia and the EU, while Britain stalled on the matter.

Some Middle Eastern countries have also proscribed the organisation already, such as Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

Now, Britain will join the growing list after Sir Keir Starmer announced legislation to ban the group will be introduced in the chamber in a few weeks' time.

Keir Starmer accused of 'gaslighting' UK's Jewish community

Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of "gaslighting" the British Jewish community following a double stabbing in Golders Green.

Speaking to GB News, Reform UK's education spokeswoman Suella Braverman hit out at the Prime Minister's "meaningless words", demanding action instead.

Sir Keir issued a statement following the attack, saying he would visit the community "as soon as possible".

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Moving vans spotted outside Peter Mandelson's Wiltshire home

Several moving vans have been spotted outside Peter Mandelson's Wiltshire home after it was raided by police in February.

The Pewsey property had been rented out by the peer since 2014 for the market rate of somewhere between £2,000 and £3,000 each month.

At the start of February, the home was searched by the Metropolitan Police as part of an investigation into his relationship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Labour formally brings end to 1,000 years of British history on 'sad and miserable day'

Labour has brought an end to 1,000 years of British history on Wednesday after hereditary peers sat in the House of Lords for the final time.

Sir Keir Starmer vowed to axe the peers during the 2024 election. The House of Lords Act passed through the chamber last month.

The historic day was marked with a farewell reception, where Lord Forsyth of Drumlean, the Lord Speaker, thanked the 92 peers for their service.

However, 15 hereditaries - including Conservative peers and a small number of crossbenchers - have been granted permission to stay on in the chamber as life peers.

Ministers said they were excluded from the move to ensure the House of Lords "can continue to function effectively, and the experience of some departing hereditary peers is not lost".

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

Keir Starmer faces calls to ban pro-Palestinian marches

Sir Keir Starmer and his Cabinet are facing calls to ban pro-Palestinian marches in their crackdown on antisemitism across Britain after the Golders Green attack.

Jonathan Hall, the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, demanded a "moratorium" on such protests, arguing that said such events "incubated" antisemitism.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has joined the rallying cry, saying they were "used as a cover for violence and intimidation against Jews".

Meanwhile, Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said "hate marches" combined with "purposeful anti-Israel demonisation had led to a tone of antisemitism".

Extra £25million funnelled into protecting Jewish communities after Golders Green attack

An extra £25million will be funnelled into protecting Jewish communities after the Golders Green stabbing,

Whitehall confirmed legislation will be fast-tracked to target individuals acting on behalf of state-sponsored groups.

Lord Hayward's May 7 prediction in full

Reform - gain 1,550

Greens - gain 500

Liberal Democrats - gain 150

Labour - lose 1,850

Conservatives - lose 600