Labour rows back on trans issue as Starmer has 'no plans' to make misgendering a hate crime

Kemi Badenoch accused of being 'missing in action' during the violent riots

The Tory leadership hopeful is yet to post anything directly addressing the mass unrest which followed the murder of three young girls in Southport.

One senior Tory said Kemi Badenoch was “missing in action”.

A spokesperson for Badenoch told The Independent: “The Tory leadership race will not be determined by who does the most media, but who has the best vision for the future of the Conservative Party.

“Kemi has been touring across the UK this week meeting members, listening to their views on the renewal of our party, and she will continue to do so regardless of these smears."

Government will ‘look more broadly at social media’ after riots

The Government will have to “look more broadly at social media” after recent rioting, the Prime Minister has said in an apparent hint that further regulation could be considered.

False information spread on social media about the identity of the alleged Southport knife attacker has been seen as playing a role in sparking the recent violence, leading some to call for tougher regulation.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has been among those calling for reform, saying recent events have shown regulations due to come into force under the Online Safety Act are “not fit for purpose”.

Asked on Friday if he agreed with Mr Khan, Sir Keir Starmer told broadcasters: “I do think that we’re going to have to look more broadly at social media after this disorder.”

He added that social media executives should be “mindful of the first priority, which is to ensure that our communities are safe and secure”.

Former Labour councillor charged with 'encouraging violent disorder'

A former Labour councillor has been charged with encouraging violent disorder after he was filmed addressing a crowd in London on Wednesday.

Ricky Jones, 57, was arrested on Thursday after a video emerged in which he appeared to call for far-right protesters’ throats to be “cut” during a demonstration the previous day.

He is expected to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday afternoon.

Sadiq Khan says he's not safe as a Muslim as he takes aim at Reform UK

Sadiq Khan has taken aim at Reform UK as the London Mayor claims he does not feel safe as a Muslim in Britain.

Khan made the comments after participating in an anti-racism workshop organised by Chelsea Football Club at Stamford Bridge.

The London Mayor said: "Clearly I'm not safe, which is why I've got police protection."

Taking a swipe at Nigel Farage's populist party, Khan added: "I think for the last few years we've seen politicians, including from the last government, use language that's not guarded.

"Talking about an invasion, talking about Islam running the country, talking about Islam running London. This sort of language leads to people believing some of this stuff.

"I think good politicians, positive politicians address people's fears, poor ones play on people's fears.

"And these ones play on people's fears with tropes and conspiracy theories, and they should reflect on the consequences of that."

Khan was directly addressing comments made by Reform UK's Ashfield MP Lee Anderson.

Anderson, who defected to Reform UK from the Tories earlier this year, accused the Mayor of being controlled by Islamists in February.

Sir Keir Starmer has been keen to stress Britain's Muslim community is being protected after anti-immigration protests turned into riots.

A total of 483 people have been arrested in connection with the unrest so far and a further 151 people were charged.

Violent disorder spread across England and Northern Ireland after misinformation about the Southport stabbing perpetrator Axel Rudakubana circulated online.

More than 1,300 Metropolitan Police officers were deployed across the capital on Wednesday night in addition to the thousands of police already on duty amid fears of further chaos.

Despite planned action across 39 identified location, unrest failed to materialise as counter-protesters vastly outnumbered demonstrators.

'These are NOT Far Right rallies... plenty of normal people are equally angry' - Tory peer in warning to Starmer

Former South Thanet MP Craig Mackinlay has said those involved in the violent disorder following the killings of three little girls in Southport are not limited to extremists.

Mackinlay, who lost his arms and legs to sepsis, said that although the demonstrations were organised by the far-right, “normal people” are attending to voice their dissatisfaction with the state of the country.

'Social media isn't law free', says Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer has said social media is "not a law free zone" after a number of Britons were arrested for posts online.

He said: “The first thing I’d say is, this is not a law free zone.

“And I think that’s clear from the prosecutions and sentencing. Today we’re due sentencing for online behaviour.

“That’s a reminder to everyone that whether you’re directly involved or whether you’re remotely involved, you’re culpable, and you will be put before the courts if you’ve broken the law.

“And so that’s happening today, that sentencing.”

Kemi Badenoch opens up huge lead over Tory rivals in fresh poll

Former Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch has opened up a huge lead over her Tory leadership rivals after receiving a seven-point poll boost.

Badenoch, who is seen as the frontrunner to replace Rishi Sunak, ended up with 33 per cent of the support in ConservativeHome's latest survey.

She was well-ahead of ex-Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick on 19 per cent.

Jenrick received a six-point boost as he cemented second-place.

James Cleverly and Tom Tugendhat have ended up joint-third with 10 per cent, with Priti Patel and Mel Stride making up the rear on eight and two per cent respectively.

Reeves wants British workers to build 1.5 million homes

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has insisted British workers should build Labour's 1.5 million homes.

Reeves said: “We need to be training people already in this country.

“We need to make sure that everyone who can work does work.

"Our welfare system is there for people who can’t genuinely work, not to prop up people who don’t want to.”

Labour issued with free speech warning over defining Islamophobia 

Labour has been issued with a free speech warning as Sir Keir Starmer considers defining Islamophobia.

Campaigners support a codified definition amid rising prejudice towards Muslims, including attacks against mosques in the ongoing riots.

Critics fear it could amount to a “blasphemy law” and claim religions cannot be exempt from criticism.

Lord Pickles, a former communities secretary, told The Telegraph: “A definition of anti-Muslim hatred or Islamophobia is a very good idea and everybody agrees it should be done.

“The problem is that there’s nothing out there that is really satisfactory.

"Many a minister has started out with a good intention of doing this and they’ve just found themselves completely bogged down with unexpected and unpredictable consequences.

“I don’t think this is impossible to do, I just think it’ll be quite difficult – above all, don’t rush it.”

Starmer puts police on 'high alert' after Wednesday's counter-demos

Sir Keir Starmer has told police to remain on "high alert" after holding his third emergency Cobra meeting last night.

The Prime Minister's comments came after potential large scale disorder on Wednesday failed to materialise.

Starmer thanked the police and wider criminal justice system as he convened ministers and police chiefs for a third time since unrest broke out last week.

He also said there was no doubt that levels of policing in the right places and swift justice over the past week have acted as a deterrent to disorder, including with sentencing.