Politics latest: Outrage at Tory leadership contender for suggesting people shouting 'Allahu Akbar' should be arrested (2024)

We've just heard from a source close to Robert Jenrick about what the Tory leadership contender said on Sky News this morning.

He's been criticised for his comments about the UK riots, echoing claims other protests aren't policed as heavily - and specifically for suggesting those who shout "Allahu Akbar" on the streets should face arrest.

Allahu Akbar is a common Islamic saying meaning "God is great".

A source close to Mr Jenrick said he was referring to it in relation to "hate marches" seen following the 7 October attack on Israel.

"Nothing about criticising these shouts is a comment on the direct translation of the term or how it is ordinarily expressed," they said.

But they added that Jewish communities, among others, found marches which featured "aggressive chants" of the term "deeply threatening".

It's lunchtime - and you know what that means.

Grab a sandwich, here's your latest Politics Hub bulletin.

• The head of the Metropolitan Police has attacked the "serious voices" who are spreading "complete nonsense" about two-tier policing;
• Sir Mark Rowley said suggestions police treated some groups differently, a claim pedalled by Nigel Farage and Elon Musk this week, were "crazy" and risked legitimising violence;
• Another high-profile individual to make that allegation this morning was Robert Jenrick, the Tory leadership candidate, who suggested Islamist extremists were dominating the streets;
• He's sparked outrage after suggesting to Sky News that people who shout "Allahu Akbar" - a common Islamic saying - should face arrest.

• It comes ahead of what's expected to be a big night of far-right rallies, including some in London;
• Mayor Sadiq Khan has warned "action will be taken" against those "spreading hatred and fear", while Sir Mark Rowley said "keyboard warriors" doing so online would also face justice;
• The prime minister said last night those arrested and charged would face sentencing "within a week".

That's all from our lunchtime bulletin.

Stick with us for more political news and reaction throughout the afternoon and check out our dedicated riots live blog too:

By Alix Culbertson, political reporter

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has called accusations of two-tier policing "complete nonsense" - and said they are putting officers at risk.

Sir Mark condemned the claims saying: "It's complete nonsense.

"We operate independently under the law without fear or favour.

"They are putting them at risk by suggesting that any of those officers are going out with, as with any intent, other than to operate without fear or favour in protecting communities."

Two-tier policing is used to describe the impression that some protests and demonstrations are dealt with more harshly than others.

The prime minister and the government have faced criticism from some on the right, including Nigel Farage, as well as X owner and billionaire Elon Musk, that police have handled the past week's disorder more harshly than if it had involved members of ethnic minorities.

Read the full story below:

We're now getting more responses to Robert Jenrick's comments about Muslims earlier today - see our previous post for more details.

The row boils down to him suggesting someone shouting Allahu Akbar should be arrested.

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

A spokesperson told Sky News they were "shocked" when they heard what the Conservative leadership hopeful had said.

Jenrick ordered to apologise

"This is a phrase recited publicly and privately by billions of Muslims around the world as they offer their solemn prayers and praise God," they said.

"Mr Jenrick's claim that politicians should choose their wisely during this crisis rings hollow as he reaches for Islamophobic rhetoric, the lowest common denominator for demagogues."

They said such "divisive language" used by politicians previously has "emboldened the far-right thugs we see on our streets today".

"He should apologise, fully retract his comments, and speak to ordinary Muslims to understand why his remarks are so outrageous," they added.

Earlier this morning, Conservative leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick spoke to Sky News.

At one point, while speaking about the demonstrations over the conflict in the Middle East, he said: "I thought it was quite wrong that somebody could shout Allahu Akhbar on the streets of London and not be immediately arrested."

Naz Shah, a Labour MP and vice chair of the all-party parliamentary group on British Muslims, has now harshly criticised Mr Jenrick.

She said: "This is complete ignorance and textbook Islamophobia from Robert Jenrick. It literally equates every Muslim in the world with extremism.

"'Allah Hu Akbar' means 'God is Great'.

"It's a basic Islamic saying that every Muslim in the world says in prayer.

"It is significantly the opening line of the call to prayer and the opening phrase of every prayer."

She added: "Imagine in this climate, either being that ignorant or deliberately trying to stigmatise all Muslims.

"He should apologise and speak to Muslim communities and learn more about our faith."

Sir Mark Rowley, the head of the Metropolitan Police, has been speaking to broadcasters this morning.

Asked if people rioting could be charged with rioting, the Met chief says: "We'll throw the full force of the law at offenders, whether that's charging people with assaults, violent disorder, riot and - if terrorism offensive are appropriate - I know the director of public prosecutions has said he's prepared to consider that.

"We will throw the full force of the law at people.

"And whether you're in this country committing crimes on the streets or committing crimes from further afield online, we will come after you."

'Keyboard warriors not safe from law'

Sir Mark also criticised "serious voices" who are echoing "crazy views" and "complete nonsense" that risks legitimising violence.

This was in response to claims of "two-tier" policing - allegations that different protest groups are not treated equally, made by people like Reform's Nigel Farage and Elon Musk.

The UK's most senior police officer said he did not want to "give individuals credit" by naming them, but warned:"If you're a keyboard warrior, you're not safe from the law."

Both Mr Musk and Mr Farage have been criticised for their posts on social media in recent days.

Away from the unrest in the UK, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is currently in Canada.

Part of her reason for travelling is to speak to the nation's pension funds to see how they work and invest domestically.

The chancellor has previously stated that she wants to replicate the Canadian system in the UK - where big pension funds invest their money in private markets to benefit savers and stimulate growth.

This could unlock vast sums of money for investing in things like infrastructure projects without adding to the state's bills.

Another reason for Ms Reeves' visit is to lobby for continued investment - with Canadian pension schemes already putting big sums of money into the UK economy.

She said: "The size of Canadian pension schemes means they can invest far more in productive assets like vital infrastructure than ours do.

"I want British schemes to learn lessons from the Canadian model and fire up the UK economy, which would deliver better returns for savers and unlock billions of pounds of investment."

A bit more from Robert Jenrick, who hopes to be the next Conservative leader.

Mr Jenrick, who was a Home Office minister under Rishi Sunak before resigning, is challenged by Sky's Wilfred Frost on some of the language he has used - and whether it could make unrest worse.

Asked if he still believes Islamist extremists are dominating the streets, the Tory MP says: "How could you argue otherwise?"

He highlights previous "hate marches" - including the celebration of Houthi attacks on British vessels - which have left British Jewish citizens feeling deeply intimidated.

The Tory leadership hopeful adds it was "quite wrong" people could "chant Allahu Akbar on the streets of London" without being arrested, when referring to demonstrations in March,

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

Mr Jenrick goes on to say there is a "serious problem of extremism" in the UK - and "integration is clearly not working properly".

He blames the "far too high level of mass migration" and people living "segregated lives".

Robert Jenrick, the former Home Office immigration minister turned Tory leadership hopeful, is speaking to Sky News.

He is asked if he supports the government's response to the riots.

He says he does wish the PM and the rest of the government "well", and states they have made steps which he thinks are the "right ones".

But Mr Jenrick claims the prime minister has "made a mistake" by not showing "equal treatment to all forms of violence".

He claims far right groups and "sectarian gangs" should be called out equally and police should take action "without fear or favour".

Mr Jenrick says there is no justification for the violence - and brands rioters "criminals" and "morons".

He says, while there is a "separate debate "to be had around integration and immigration in the UK, it is for "another day".

There is reporting that protests and demonstrations could be taking place across the UK today - including in London.

The city's mayor, Sadiq Khan, has posted on social media to say anyone "spreading hatred and fear" that "action will be taken against you".

He adds that he is in "constant touch" with the Met - and asks fellow Londoners to "check on their friends and neighbours" to make sure they are OK.