Politics latest: Tory leadership hopeful accused of 'stirring up' problems seen in riots (2024)

We're bringing the Politics Hub to a close for the evening.

If you want continued live coverage of the unrest across the UK, our dedicated live blog is below:

Here's what you need to know from the political arena today:

• The head of the Metropolitan Police has attacked the"serious voices" who are spreading "complete nonsense" about two-tier policing;
• Sir Mark Rowleysaid suggestions police treated some groups differently,a claim pedalled by Nigel Farage and Elon Musk, risked legitimising violence;
• Another high-profile individual to make that allegation this morning wasRobert Jenrick, whosparked outrageafter suggesting people who shout "Allahu Akbar" - a common Islamic saying - should face arrest;
• Among his critics was Tory leadership rival Mel Stride, who said the comments were "unwise".

• It comes ahead of what's expected to be abig night of far-right rallies, including some in London;
• Mayor Sadiq Khan has warned"action will be taken" against those "spreading hatred", while Humza Yousaf, Scotland's former first minister, says the unrest has him considering leaving the UK;
• The prime minister said the "swift" sentencing of rioters today, some jailed for several years, should serve as a warning against further unrest.

Those are the main things you need to know - the Politics Hub team returns tomorrow morning from around 6am.

Have a good evening, and stay safe.

It's been perhaps the most divisive day in the Tory leadership race so far after candidate Robert Jenrick sparked criticism for suggesting those who shout "Allahu Akbar" in the streets should face arrest.

Among the critics was Mel Stride, one of the other contenders, who told Sky News the comments were "insensitive" and "unwise".

None of the other candidates have weighed in, though.

For a reminder of who else is running to replace Rishi Sunak, read this handy guide from our political reporters Tim Baker and Alix Culbertson:

The Home Office has offered support to civil servants amid the ongoing nationwide riots.

In a letter seen by Sky News, permanent secretary Matthew Rycroft acknowledged what a "worrying time" it was for many staff, their families, and the communities in which they live and work.

"The home secretary has also asked me to pass on her personal thanks to all the staff who have been working under great pressure, and outside normal hours, to support the government's response," he added.

Unlike the Commons Speaker's letter to MPs, civil servants have not been encouraged to consider working from home (see previous post).

The speaker of the House of Commons has written to MPs warning them to be cautious ahead of planned far-right protests this evening.

MPs with high-profile constituency offices have been told to consider working from home, report the BBC and The Telegraph.

"The ability for members and their staff to perform their parliamentary duties safely, both on and off the estate, is fundamental to our democracy," a Commons spokesperson told Sky News.

"Abuse and intimidation is completely unacceptable."

The prime minister is facing mounting pressure to take a stand against the far right.

On the Sky News Daily, Niall Paterson speaks with Ivan Humble, a former leading active member of the English Defence League who now works to tackle radicalisation and extremism in the UK.

Plus our political correspondent Rob Powell talks about the government's response to the crisis.

We've just heard from Angela Rayner ahead of what's expected to be a busy night for police across the country.

The deputy PM, who was speaking from a Rotherham hotel which was housing asylum seekers when attacked by rioters at the weekend, said officers had done an "exceptional job" so far.

She was asked about comments by Robert Jenrick, which we've been reporting today. The Tory leadership hopeful has suggested people who shout the Islamic phrase "Allahu Akbar" should be arrested.

"People like Robert Jenrick have been stirring up some of the problems we've seen in our communities," said Ms Rayner.

"What we want to see is communities coming together."

Mel Stride has become the first Tory leadership contender to criticise Robert Jenrick's comments about the Islamic phrase Allahu Akbar.

The ex-immigration minister told Sky News earlier anyone who uses the common saying - which means "God is great" - on the streets should face arrest.

Mr Stride, one of Mr Jenrick's leadership rivals, told Sky News this afternoon: "The suggestion of wholesale criminalisation of the words Allahu Akbar is unwise and insensitive.

"Any threat in the use of these words can only ever be implied in the very rarest of circ*mstances. Context clearly matters hugely here."

You can get a catch-up on the row in the previous post.

Robert Jenrick, who hopes to replace Rishi Sunak as Tory leader, has become embroiled in a major racism row.

The former immigration minister, notable for his strong right-wing views, suggested those who shout "Allahu Akbar" should be arrested.

It's provoked a fierce backlash, especially given the ongoing riots which have seen mosques and Muslim communities targeted.

What exactly did he say?

Mr Jenrick made the comment on Sky News this morning.

He was echoing claims from Nigel Farage and Elon Musk that far right protesters have been dealt with more harshly than other demonstrators, which police chiefs have widely denied.

Referring to what he described as "hate marches" following the Hamas attacks against Israel, he said it was "quite wrong" people could "chant Allahu Akbar on the streets of London" without being arrested.

What does Allahu Akbar mean?

Allahu Akbar is a common Islamic phrase which means "God is great".

It's also used as a call to prayer for Muslims.

Who has criticised the comments?

Naz Shah, vice-chair of a cross-party group on British Muslims, quickly accused the ex-minister of "textbook Islamophobia".

"It literally equates every Muslim in the world with extremism," the Labour MP added.

She said Mr Jenrick was either being "ignorant" or "deliberately trying to stigmatise all Muslims" - and demanded an apology.

The Muslim Council of Britain, which represents Muslim organisations across the UK, said his comment shows "institutional Islamophobia is alive and well" in the Tory party.

And Yasmin Qureshi, the Labour MP forBolton South and Walkden, said such rhetoric was partly to blame for the riots.

Tory peer Baroness Warsi, the first Muslim woman to serve in a British government cabinet under David Cameron, also hit out.

Deputy PM Angela Rayner added: "People like Robert Jenrick have been stirring up some of the problems we've seen in our communities."

How has Jenrick responded?

Both Mr Jenrick and his team have defended his comments.

He said while the phrase is "spoken peacefully" by millions in the UK every day, it has been used in "aggressive chanting" at protests.

He shared what he said was an example - a clip showing a group of Asian men marching through Bolton.

"All violence must end," he added, though there was no visible violence in the footage.

Clive Lewis, the Labour MP for Norwich South, has posted to social media about his plans for tonight.

The backbencher says he will be going to a "solidarity protest" outside an asylum hotel "at possible risk from a mob of racists".

He added: "I'm proud to stand with my community here in Norwich - to stop violence - not start it.

"And to show the residents of the hotel they’re not alone."

There have been calls for people not to counter-protest - and let police manage any demonstrations.

The prime minister has warned anyone whipping up violence online will face the full force of the law.

But how does what is said online translate to violence in the streets?

Sky News'sdata and forensics correspondentTom Cheshire has been looking at the evidence.