PM speaks of ‘fundamental reset of how we counter extremism’ after arson attacks
At PMQs, Keir Starmer says: 'We will do everything in our power to keep British Jews safe'
Keir Starmer has told the House of Commons there has been a “fundamental reset of how we counter extremism” in response to the series of antisemitic arson attacks in recent weeks.
Speaking at the start of Prime Minister’s Questions, where he was put under intense pressure over the ongoing Lord Peter Mandelson scandal, he told MPs: “In recent days, we’ve seen a series of despicable antisemitic arson attacks.
“With additional funding to deploy specialist officers and a fundamental reset of how we counter extremism, and action to tackle a poisoned antisemitism in our schools, our colleges and the NHS, we will do everything in our power to keep British Jews safe.”
Starmer then added: “I’m sure the whole House will join me in standing with our Jewish community. There is no place in British life for antisemitism.”
On Tuesday, Starmer pledged an unrelenting fight against antisemitism after seven more people were arrested amid a spate of arson attacks on Jewish sites.
Counter-terror police are looking into whether a series of arson attacks against Jewish sites in north London was carried out by Iranian proxies.
The Metropolitan Police said the suspects were arrested within the past 48 hours over an alleged conspiracy to commit a further arson attack although the specific target is not yet known.
Since late March there have been arson attacks on Jewish community ambulances in Golders Green, north-west London, two synagogues and a former Jewish charity, as well as an incident where a drone was flown near the Israeli embassy.
Writing on X, Sir Keir said: “We won’t relent in our fight against antisemitism and terror. Any perpetrators will feel the full force of the law.”
The latest arrests by detectives from Counter-Terrorism Policing London, saw three men aged 24, 25 and 26 held in Harpenden on Sunday, and on Monday a 25-year-old man arrested in Stevenage, as well as a 26-year-old man and two women aged 50 and 59 detained in a car near Birmingham.
The men arrested in Harpenden have been released on bail, while the other four remain in custody, the Metropolitan Police said.
Another arrest has also been made over the embassy incident, that saw a drone flown in Kensington Gardens carrying jars that were later found to contain non-hazardous material.
A 39-year-old man was held in Ealing under section 41 of the Terrorism Act, which allows a suspect to be arrested without a warrant if they are suspected of being a terrorist.
So far, 23 people have been arrested over the series of attacks on Jewish sites.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, the Senior National Co-ordinator of Counter Terrorism Policing, said: “We’ve made very clear that we will be relentless in our pursuit of anyone involved in carrying out or planning these arson attacks.
“Our message is clear, we will not tolerate this intimidation of our communities, and will pursue those responsible. One of our key lines of inquiry is whether criminal proxies – that is to say people being paid money to carry out a crime, are being used to commit any of these arsons.”
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