gb news. >> good afternoon. a very happy friday to you . it's 3 pm. and friday to you. it's 3 pm. and welcome to the martin daubney show on gb news broadcasting live from the heart of westminster. all across the uk. today george galloway will be back in the house of commons next week. can you, adam and eve it? next week. can you, adam and eve it.7 we've been asking some of his constituents what they really think about having that controversial man as their mp. and i'll tell you this , they and i'll tell you this, they have not held back . have not held back. >> i think it's an absolute disgrace . what's he going to do disgrace. what's he going to do for rochdale .7 well, i just don't for rochdale.7 well, i just don't know . know. >> so ashamed of being in rochdale . well he did say this rochdale. well he did say this is for gaza didn't he. >> next it's the merge that the government's rwanda plan could end up costing us half £1 billion. and remember, we still haven't sent a single solitary migrant to the african country . migrant to the african country. and i look back on one of the modern era's most defining

moments. it's 40 years since the miners strike started and the communities where the mines closed are still feeling the same effects . and that's all same effects. and that's all coming up in your next hour. welcome to the show. it's always an absolute pleasure and a privilege to have your company now, galloway is back. this was for gaza, the tectonic plates of politics have shifted. could this signify a sectarian divided politics.7 yesterday, rishi sunak said the mob had taken over the streets. is the mob about to take over politics.7 where might that hit ? take over politics.7 where might that hit .7 i've got full in—depth that hit.7 i've got full in—depth analysis of that hit? i've got full in—depth analysis of where that sectarian takeover might happen . what it takeover might happen. what it might look like is this an ugly future for british politics? lessons learned , perhaps from lessons learned, perhaps from the troubles . what will it spell the troubles. what will it spell for a divided britain? so much

to talk about. get in touch. all the usual ways. do you fear this is the beginning? a new mob rule within parliament that we've seen on streets. get in touch gb views at gb news. com. this is your show as much as it is mine. plus i want to hear from former coal miners. uh, my dad was a miner. he's watching love you. bob. um, and i'll be talking about my own life in the pits, um, as a as a miner and later. but i want to hear from you. if you missed mines. you miss you missed the mines. you miss those you missed the those days. you missed the banter. do you that banter. do you miss that cohesion? that wonderful sense of pits gave of purpose that the pits gave to the british working class? but first, it's your news headlines with sam francis . with sam francis. >> martin, thanks very much. good afternoon. from the gb news room. 3:02 and we start with some breaking news. just coming to us from the old bailey in london that three people have today been jailed for life for the murder of a vulnerable woman who was tortured to death. the

court heard that 35 year old shakira spencer was found dead in west london in her flat in 2022, after the trio treated her like a slave and beat and starved her ashana studholme, sean pendlebury and lisa richardson have each been ordered to serve a minimum tum of 34 years behind bars. now the news today rishi sunak has said that the campaign in rochdale was one of the most divisive in recent times. after last night's by—election win by george galloway, the uk's leading jewish organisation has also described the workers party leader as a conspiracy theorist who they say brings division and hate to every place he has ever stood for parliament during his career , galloway has also career, galloway has also presented tv programmes for both the russian and iranian state broadcasters, labour leader sir keir starmer says galloway will stoke fear and division . stoke fear and division. >> galloway only won because labour didn't stand a candidate. >> i regret that we had to

withdraw our candidate and apologise to voters in rochdale, but i took that decision. it was the right decision and when i say i changed the labour party, i mean it obviously we will put a first class candidate, a unifier before the voters in rochdale at the general election i >> -- >> the cost of rishi sunak's rwanda scheme could soar to half £1 billion, plus hundreds of thousands more for each migrant sent to the african nation. an investigation by the public spending watchdog found. the millions in additional spending includes £11,000 for each migrants plane ticket. they'll also be an extra £20,000 paid to rwanda for every asylum seeker who's relocated there . with more who's relocated there. with more than £150,000 per person over five years to cover ongoing costs. the prime minister, though , says the plan is vital though, says the plan is vital to clamp down on illegal migration. >> taxpayers are already forking out millions of pounds a day to house illegal migrants in hotels across the country . see, that's

across the country. see, that's not right, and that's why i made stopping the boats one of my priorities . stopping the boats one of my priorities. i'm pleased that we've made progress. year, we've made progress. last year, the were down by the numbers were down by a third. that never happened before. the plans are before. shows that the plans are working, but in order to fully resolve this issue, we need to have deterrent. we need to be have a deterrent. we need to be able if you come here able to say, if you come here illegally , won't able to illegally, you won't be able to stay. can remove you to a stay. we can remove you to a safe country. that's why the rwanda scheme is so important. it's investment it's the worthwhile investment and it and i'm determined to see it through . through. >> well, this afternoon we have heard it's been confirmed. heard that it's been confirmed. the son law of prince michael the son in law of prince michael of died a traumatic of kent died from a traumatic head wound. thomas kingston was visiting his parents home in the cotswolds , where he was later cotswolds, where he was later found dead in an outbuilding there by emergency services. that was on the 25th of february. the inquest today at gloucestershire coroner's coroner's court heard a gun was recovered from the scene, but police say they are satisfied his death is not suspicious . the his death is not suspicious. the government is facing claims of making excuses to delay a ban on

so—called lgbt conversion therapy. that's after a backbench proposal failed to make progress in the commons today. the debate was the third time the law has been considered , but conservative mp miriam cates says there are still irreconcilable differences between its backers and those who oppose it. the bill would mean that unlimited fines could be imposed on offenders who offer or advertise services to change a person's sexual orientation, or to change a person to or from being transgender. person to or from being transgender . a man has been transgender. a man has been jailed for life today for what the judge described as a horrific catalogue of murders . horrific catalogue of murders. joshua jack killed his girlfriend samantha drummond, and three members of her family in bermondsey in south—east london, the court heard today. the 29 year old stabbed his victims in what he claimed was a sacrifice. he admitted manslaughter but denied the murder on the basis that he was mentally unwell. at the time . mentally unwell. at the time. he's been ordered to serve a

minimum tum of 46 years. well, another man has been given a rare whole life order. for what a judge described as a ferocious and merciless attack on his former partner and her new boyfriend , 27 year old katie boyfriend, 27 year old katie hickton , and stephen harnett, hickton, and stephen harnett, who was 25, were killed by marcus osborne. the court heard that he waited for miss hickton at the house they used to share together before using her phone together before using her phone to lure her new partner to that address. he then continued his violent attack, raping another woman and holding her captive at the home. the cost of a postage stamp is going up again as the royal mail raises prices amid a dramatic drop in demand. first class stamps will rise by £0.10 to £1.35, while second class stamps are also going up by £0.10 to £0.85 per stamp. a year ago, a first class stamp cost just £0.95. the increase comes after warnings by the troubled delivery giant over the impact of lower demand for postage ,

of lower demand for postage, which it says is pushing up its cost . and if you've not heard it cost. and if you've not heard it already today, here's a look at the uk's eurovision entry . the uk's eurovision entry. >> won't you make me dance for me? >> kisses will you take my hand ? >> kisses will you take my hand? and spinning round and round. til all the alexander has launched his brand new single called dizzy. >> ahead of this year's song contest, due to take place in sweden in may, the 33 year old singer has already enjoyed success with his former bandmates in years and years, scoring a combined five top ten uk singles and two number one albums. and he hopes that the new single will, he says, transform bought you somewhere magical . those are the headlines magical. those are the headlines for the latest stories , you can for the latest stories, you can sign up to gb news alerts by scanning the code on your screen or go to gb news. common herts .

or go to gb news. common herts. >> thank you sam . right, let's >> thank you sam. right, let's get cracking. we've got so much to get stuck into today, but really, there's only one place to start and it's with this keir starmer . starmer. >> this is for gaza . yes yes of coui'se. >> course. >> rochdale. that proud town thatis >> rochdale. that proud town that is seen as a birthplace of the co—operative movement, a proud working class town now has an mp who seems to be more bothered about a place more than 2000 miles away . george galloway 2000 miles away. george galloway has been a labour mp, an independent mp , a respect party independent mp, a respect party mp and now as the leader of the workers party of britain. he's the country's newest member of parliament. lookie, lookie. as a. well, let's pick over this now. and i'm joined in our studio by our political correspondent olivia. olivia thanks for coming in. always a pleasure. i looked at the reaction to this appointment across various media outlets. here's what they said . george

here's what they said. george galloway's return is a nightmare for keir starmer. galloway's return is a nightmare for keir starmer . the telegraph, for keir starmer. the telegraph, the new statesman george galloway's return isn't it a nightmare for labour? the spectator george galloway will be a nuisance for labour. where's the truth? >> well, i think that's a really, really interesting question, martin. how difficult is this for keir starmer? there are those who say that actually it's not really a problem for keir starmer at all. it would have been hugely embarrassing for labour had they lost this election , this by—election, to election, this by—election, to george galloway, which was always on the cards. let's not forget, even before the labour campaign imploded, you know, george galloway was well up there as one of the favourites to win. but instead labour had to win. but instead labour had to withdraw their candidate. so there those who that, there are those who say that, that, that know , that, that and you know, respected pollsters say that sunak can essentially just brush this he didn't even have this off. he didn't even have a horse in the race at this. and so, yes , he's lost his streak of so, yes, he's lost his streak of by—election wins, but it doesn't really matter. it was exceptional circumstances, but

but there are those who say and i actually think that there's some truth in that, that what this by—election proves is that there are now there is now a constituent of people in britain who are willing to vote in a election, in a by—election, or perhaps two in a general election on issues not related to what's happening in britain . to what's happening in britain. george galloway was proudly campaign as the candidate for gaza , essentially. and there are gaza, essentially. and there are people who will vote for a candidate who is promoting that . candidate who is promoting that. now, is that a problem for keir starmer? he has held a pretty robustly pro—israel line throughout this. uh, throughout the fighting in gaza and now in england, where there isn't really a left wing party who who pro—gay voters can default to if they don't like what what keir starmer is saying. it's not too much of a problem for keir starmer, but in scotland, where the snp is a very pro, gaza party, it is possible that keir starmer could end up

haemorrhaging votes to the snp . haemorrhaging votes to the snp. and we know that keir starmer's chances of gaining a proper majority in the next general election are dependent on scotland. >> i want to talk to you about a comment nigel farage made. he said. takeaway for comment nigel farage made. he saicis takeaway for comment nigel farage made. he saicis that takeaway for comment nigel farage made. he saicis that sectarianzeaway for comment nigel farage made. he saicis that sectarian politicsor comment nigel farage made. he saicis that sectarian politics is me is that sectarian politics is here to in britain, here to stay in britain, following on from what we saw in parliament square last week, the mob outside parliament is the mob outside parliament is the mob about to move into politics and in particular, when you look at some of the demographics, i've got here that we've got that graphic, we can show it maybe now or later in the show. the 20 muslim vote seats in the top 20 muslim vote seats in the a huge the uk. there is a huge constituent kc for a party, um, who pitches to them some of the seats 63, muslim votes, the top 20 are all above 30. these are mostly labour seats, but will this now be a kind of coalition of that hard left ? and the more of that hard left? and the more kind of muslim vote? and will this be a new movement or is galloway simply a one trick

pony? well i'll, i mean, i think there is a little there's definitely a nugget of truth in, in that i'm just looking at this that list in front of you of the constituencies which have the highest populations. highest muslim populations. >> and i noticed that some of the mps in those top , top the mps in those top, top constituencies were mps who voted for a ceasefire in gaza and really, really pushed keir starmer to change his line on this. so it is clear that, you know, in in some respects sectarian politics is having an effect on what's going on in westminster because are westminster because there are mps pushing their party westminster because there are michange pushing their party westminster because there are michange theirrshing their party westminster because there are michange their lineg their party westminster because there are michange their line based party westminster because there are michange their line based on rty to change their line based on their muslim constituents . on their muslim constituents. on their muslim constituents. on the other hand, i think we should put in a note of caution here. the rochdale by—election was a bizarre , basically, um, was a bizarre, basically, um, almost every candidate had some sort of a scandal attached to them. the labour campaign imploded, labour were the favourites to win . george favourites to win. george galloway won, but it is very, very difficult to try and sort of extract collate that into a into any sort of general election result. so i would say a nugget of truth, but a note of

caution necessary to great sort of show olivia utley. >> thank you very much. and now let's crack on and talk to craig whittaker. and he's the conservative mp for the calder valley. and that borders on to rochdale. to the show rochdale. welcome to the show craig. so, craig, um, what's your um, immediate reaction to this? um galloway himself is saying the tectonic plates have shifted. he said this , this is shifted. he said this, this is for god. and presumably , craig, for god. and presumably, craig, you think this is a somewhat darker day for british politics? >> well, to be honest with you, martin, i think, um, you underestimate the british public at your peril . at your peril. >> uh, and we've got to stop saying stuff. >> you know, politicians from all over the, the, you know, parliament have got to stop saying that this kind of stuff is divisive because the reality is divisive because the reality is a lot of these issues are below the surface. >> and, uh, ignore george uh, galloway for a minute and have a look at the independent guy who, uh, came a romping home in second, and he stood on the

platform of the things that mattered to people of rochdale. >> um, and so what we see is we see the two main parties in this country who are completely not a basket case, uh, cases at present . um, basket case, uh, cases at present. um, is basket case, uh, cases at present . um, is that, you know , present. um, is that, you know, there will be a backlash and there will be a backlash and there will be a backlash and there will be a backlash. uh similar to what we've seen in rochdale , if you look at the rochdale, if you look at the galloway vote, you've got more than the tories and liberal democrats, labour and the reform party combined are something size happened there. >> craig. the big question is, as nigel farage says, is this the beginning of a more sectarian and religiously divided political movement across the uk ? across the uk? >> well, the problem, martin, i think, is there's two problems here. i mean, first of all, you've got i mean, george, george galloway, despite what you feel about him personally , you feel about him personally, is an incredible, formidable politician. basically what he's doneis politician. basically what he's done is picked away at a scab and opened up that wound, uh,

because that's what a very large proportion of people in rochdale felt . um, so proportion of people in rochdale felt. um, so you , you then have felt. um, so you, you then have a british government, on the other hand , uh, and we've seen other hand, uh, and we've seen it time and time again with things like brexit, you know, things like brexit, you know, things like brexit, you know, things like climate change or whatever is the order of the day. um instead of explaining the tremendous things that the british government are actually doing over there in gaza, lord cameron's over the whole time, uh, going from country to country to get support , to try country to get support, to try and, uh, you know, get a ceasefire, get aid through. we don't talk about that. we also don't talk about that. we also don't talk about the two british hostages still being held, by the way. um, so but what we do is say no, ceasefire. so there's no explanation behind the reasons why . okay, there are reasons why. okay, there are 1 or 2 people that say yes, this is why we do it, but that needs to be the message. um, and people until until, you to be the message. um, and people until until , you know, people until until, you know, the major parties start

understanding what is important to the british people. we're going to see this time and time again. >> okay. but what about the flip side of that coin, craig? we heard rishi sunak prime minister yesterday saying had yesterday saying the mob had taken the streets. they taken over the streets. they certainly have. i was in parliament square last wednesday certainly have. i was in parliaitent square last wednesday certainly have. i was in parliait completelylast wednesday certainly have. i was in parliait completely kicked dnesday certainly have. i was in parliait completely kicked off. sday when it completely kicked off. people getting pelt. i got people were getting pelt. i got pelted eggs . there were pelted with eggs. there were disgusting images on big bend. police nothing . and is that police did nothing. and is that kind of inactive party not only emboldening the mob to knock on your door at parliament, but to go places like rochdale and to say we can just form a new movement here and no one's going to stop us. and this campaign has been mired in all sorts of allegations of violence , um, allegations of violence, um, threats of fire bombs, the same old conversation about postal voting. these things keep coming up time and time again. is that a political nettle that you need to grasp? because we can't have two tiered policing being allowed to go over into two tier

politics. >> no, i totally agree with that. and, you know, politicians again, are responsible for a lot of that. you saw what happened in parliament only last week, uh, with the with the gaza vote . uh, with the with the gaza vote. i mean, it was just shambolic and that was primarily because we have, uh, leaders going back some time now that are that are governing by populist politic . governing by populist politic. and you can't do that. you have to be very firm and you have to be very firm about what you stand for. i don't see either the conservative party or indeed the conservative party or indeed the labour party , um, you know, the labour party, um, you know, particularly at the labour party, i mean, the guy hasn't got a spine . party, i mean, the guy hasn't got a spine. he's flip party, i mean, the guy hasn't got a spine . he's flip flopping got a spine. he's flip flopping on virtually policy that on virtually every policy that comes . um, so we've got to be comes up. um, so we've got to be much firmer. we've got to be much firmer. we've got to be much more direct with the british public and explain exactly what we are doing. and then have the debate. we then let's have the debate. we can't keep flip flopping the way we're going. we're currently going. >> for joining we're currently going. >> forjoining us. >> okay. thanks forjoining us. and us your craig and give us your input. craig whittaker the conservative whittaker of the conservative party, calder valley, party, mp for calder valley, thank very much for joining thank you very much for joining us on the show. so george

galloway accused sir keir starmer of enabling encouraging and covering what he called the catastrophe in gaza . and here's catastrophe in gaza. and here's what the labour leader has had to say about that this afternoon i >>i -- >> i think hm >> i think the right thing is to concentrate on the awful situation in gaza . tens of situation in gaza. tens of thousands of people have been killed, hostages are still being held, been held for a very long time and therefore the right thing is for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to ensure that hostages can get out humanitarian aid desperately needed can get in. and that we can put our foot in the door for a process , a political process a process, a political process to a two state solution that involves the recognition of palestine . now i stayed up all palestine. now i stayed up all night to watch gb news brilliant coverage of the rochdale by—election. >> i've got to say, though, as one comment from nigel farage, that really stuck in my mind. it worried me and he says that last night's results is proof of

sectarian voting in britain , a sectarian voting in britain, a very deeply disturbing , worrying very deeply disturbing, worrying vote for british politics and for our future. >> and as you well know, tom, for the last few weeks i've been saying sectarian politics has arrived. >> people voting purely on religious lines. >> you see, i've seen that coming before. i went to batley and spen during the last by—election when george galloway stood. i held a free speech rally in batley town square because of the batley grammar school teacher who'd been going into hiding. none of the politicians spoke out to defend him. nobody they abandoned that guy and this vacuum has been filled by people like galloway. but what do the public think? well, as you know, gb news is the people's channel, so we've been out and about in rochdale today to find out what the locals there think of galloway's win . win. >> will only do stuff for >> he will only do stuff for palestine. nothing about the people that live in rochdale. i think it's an absolute disgrace. >> i think it's a really, really

good thing for rochdale and just for the country in general. uh, it's been a long time coming . it's been a long time coming. he's been supporting the right side of history for a long time. um, there's a lot of people that don't really want to see him win. probably same kind win. it's probably the same kind of don't want to of people that don't want to see jeremy corbyn difference jeremy corbyn make a difference in world. in the world. >> he's won. it's really on the back the war in palestine back of the war in palestine line. um, what other interests he in rochdale itself? he has in rochdale itself? i have idea . i think he has in rochdale itself? i have idea. i think he's he has in rochdale itself? i have idea . i think he's just have no idea. i think he's just come here to pursue his his political career. really. i think all he's going to do when he gets into parliament is try to disrupt the labour party. >> so ashamed of being in rochdale. yeah um, yeah . i'm rochdale. yeah um, yeah. i'm just really disappointed . i just really disappointed. i mean, the man , it doesn't live mean, the man, it doesn't live here. this is the third political party he's managed to wangle himself into . wangle himself into. >> instead of concentrating on what should be happening local with rochdale aliens , with the with rochdale aliens, with the people that live in this area.

breathe it . you know , um, he's breathe it. you know, um, he's got in on the gaza ticket . got in on the gaza ticket. >> i think he took advantage of the situation in gaza, and there were very large asian population i >> -- >> and there you go, a divided reaction in a divided town, in a divided britain that's now breeding a divided polity . and breeding a divided polity. and we'll have lots more on that story throughout the show. at 5:00, i'll speak to a man who'll be standing as a candidate, an independent candidate in bethnal green and bow the next green and bow at the next election . think he hopes to be election. i think he hopes to be working for galloway and working for george galloway and that constituency has got the ninth highest percentage of muslim voters in the country. and says he reckons that and he says he reckons that george galloway's win was an inspiration. we'll be talking to him about why he thinks that's the case and there's plenty of coverage on our website, gbnews.com and you've helped to make it the fastest growing national website in the national news website in the country . so thank very much . country. so thank you very much. now it's emerged that the government's rwanda plan could

end up costing us half £1 billion. and by the way , we billion. and by the way, we still haven't sent a solitary migrant to the african nation . i migrant to the african nation. i martin daubney on gb news, britain's news

welcome back. it's 326. you're watching or listening to martin daubney on gb news. now, later this hour i'll discuss the royals. as a top historian says, they need to come clean about the health issues facing king charles and the princess of wales . now catch the princess of wales. now catch this the government's rwanda plan, which has so far sent precisely zero migrants to the country . but three home country. but three home secretaries fly out there in ofsted could end up costing us half £1 billion. that's right, £509 million. home secretary james cleverly was in rwanda in december to sign a new

deportation deal on appsumo today that if we ever do send 300 migrants out there, the uk will have to give rwanda . will have to give rwanda. another 120 million in quid. shadow home secretary yvette cooper says the rwanda plan is merely a gimmick. >> this report reveals the total national scandal around this failing rwanda scheme that the conservative government has been trying to hide. it means the cost to the taxpayer over half £1 billion, and that's just to send less than 1% of people arriving in this country. a cost of about £2 million per person. it's completely shocking. >> it's just gimmick rather than grip. >> that money should be used to spend being spent to secure our borders and to boost our border security. >> instead . >> instead. >> instead. >> well, i'm joined now by our homeland security editor, mark. why, it's mark, welcome to the show. always a pleasure. mark is rwanda turning into the biggest

war white elephant project since hs2 or is it is it something that's worth pursuing ? that's worth pursuing? >> well , if it doesn't get off >> well, if it doesn't get off the ground , it certainly will the ground, it certainly will be. and even if it does actually result in people being sent to rwanda for processing , it may be rwanda for processing, it may be that it's still not the deterrent that the government believes it will be. but regardless , we don't know as yet regardless, we don't know as yet until those flights actually leave and people , uh, start leave and people, uh, start arriving in rwanda and how successful it might be. but in the interim of course, we have had this light shone on just how expensive it's going to be by the national audit office. the government had told us previously that the upfront costs of the rwanda plan, the partnership deal with rwanda, were about 290 million. now, they did admit that there would be other added millions in the years ahead. throughout the lifetime of the scheme, but

wouldn't tell us what that was. the national audit office have filled in the blanks and come up with a figure of about half £1 billion, and extrapolating , uh, billion, and extrapolating, uh, the belief that about 300 or so asylum seekers might be sent to rwanda, they're suggesting not the national audit office, but others are suggesting that's about £2 million a head. i'm not sure how accurate that actual figure is, because i think you've got to realise that, uh, if the scheme is as successful as the government hopes it will be, it's not going to be potentially 300 people. but uh, you know, could be in the thousands. that number is going to change there. you would think that the number, uh , of or the that the number, uh, of or the price per head would drop a bit, but it's still very hefty nonetheless . nonetheless. >> but mark, when you look at i mean, these these numbers are so big, they're like telephone book numbers. right. but when you look at 500 million and compare it to the price, we're spending

on asylum hotels yesterday came out 15 million a day, it's only actually 39 days worth of hotels. so maybe actually the idea still has credence . idea still has credence. >> see, i think you make a very good point there. and the government would certainly argue that you need to look at the bigger picture in terms of what they're trying to do, which is they're trying to do, which is the deterrent factor to stop as many people coming across the channel to reduce the overall burden on the taxpayer of deaung burden on the taxpayer of dealing with asylum seekers in this country . dealing with asylum seekers in this country. uh, dealing with asylum seekers in this country . uh, they say there this country. uh, they say there is a cost of not doing something and that cost they believe, by just a couple of years time in accommodation alone will cost the uk taxpayer £11 billion a yearin the uk taxpayer £11 billion a year in housing asylum seekers. so that is very significant. and of course this , this, uh, figure of course this, this, uh, figure of course this, this, uh, figure of about 107, £80,000 per asylum seeker being sent off to asylum,

uh, off to rwanda to, to be processed. well, that is similar, uh, to actually what the cost would be here in the uk of providing the accommodation for a year and also all of the wraparound services. so there's not much difference there. but obviously all the added millions. martin are coming in when you've got , uh, this rwanda when you've got, uh, this rwanda partnership plan , which is partnership plan, which is a commitment by the british government to invest in the development and the infrastructure of rwanda, uh, as a country , and also to be able a country, and also to be able to cope with the asylum seekers as a superb analysis, as abbot mark white, thanks for joining us on the show. >> and now there's lots more still to come between now and 4:00. and i'll tell you why. today a hugely significant today is a hugely significant day for people and my day for people like me and my old who was a proud coal old man, who was a proud coal miner for 47 years. best of british. the first is your latest news headlines with tatiana sanchez . tatiana sanchez. >> martin, thank you very much .

>> martin, thank you very much. >> martin, thank you very much. >> your top stories from the gb newsroom . rishi sunak says the newsroom. rishi sunak says the campaign in rochdale was one of the most divisive in recent times. after last night's by—election win by george galloway, the uk's leading jewish organisation , has jewish organisation, has described the workers party leader as a conspiracy theorist who brings division and hate to every place he's ever stood for parliament. during his career , parliament. during his career, galloway has also presented programmes for both the russian and iranian state broadcasters. labour leader sir keir starmer says he'll stoke fear and division . division. >> the cost of the government's rwanda scheme could soar to half £1 billion, plus hundreds of thousands more for each migrant sent there. >> an investigation by the pubuc >> an investigation by the public spending watchdog found . public spending watchdog found. the millions in additional spending includes £11,000 for each migrants plane ticket. there will also be an extra £20,000 paid to rwanda for every asylum seeker who's relocated with more than £150,000 per

person to cover ongoing costs . person to cover ongoing costs. >> the son in law of prince michael of kent died from a traumatic head wound. >> thomas kingston was visiting his parents home in the cotswolds, where he was later found dead in an outbuilding by emergency services on the 25th of february. the inquest at gloucestershire coroner's court heard a gun was recovered from the scene, but police say they are satisfied the death is not suspicious and the cost of a postage stamp is going up as royal mail raises prices yet again amid a dramatic drop in demand , first class stamps will demand, first class stamps will rise by £0.10 to £1.35, while second class are also going up by the same amount to £0.85 per stamp. a year ago , a first class stamp. a year ago, a first class stamp. a year ago, a first class stamp cost just £0.95. for the latest stories , you can sign up latest stories, you can sign up to gb news alerts by scanning the qr code on your screen. or you can go to gb news. com slash

alerts . alerts. >> for stunning gold and silver coins, you'll always value rosalind gold proudly sponsors the gb news financial report . the gb news financial report. >> here's a quick snapshot of today's markets. >> the pound will buy you $1.2629 and >> the pound will buy you 131.2629 and ,1.1666. >> the pound will buy you $1.2629 and ,1.1666. the price of gold is £1,629, and £0.97 per ounce, and the ftse 100 is at 7656 points. >> rosalind gold proudly sponsors the gb news financial report . report. >> thank you tatiana. now there's always speculation about there's always speculation about the royal family , of course, but the royal family, of course, but there's been so many rumours recently that there are now calls for them to come clean about the health of the king and the princess of wales. i'm martin daubney on gb news,

britain's news channel .

>> 2020 for a battleground year, the year the nation decides as the year the nation decides as the parties gear up their campaigns for the next general election, who will be left standing when the british people make one of the biggest decisions of their lives? >> will rise and who will fall? >> let's find out together. >> let's find out together. >> for every moment, the highs , >> for every moment, the highs, the lows, the twists and turns , the lows, the twists and turns, we'll be with you for every step of this journey. in 2024. gb news is britain's election . channel. >> welcome back. it's 338. you're watching or listening to martin daubney on gb news choose. now you see lots of rumours about the royals and of course they have a famous motto never complain, never explain reign. but in recent weeks, the

rumour mill has gone into overdrive . king charles has been overdrive. king charles has been treated for cancer . overdrive. king charles has been treated for cancer. but what kind of cancer is being kept? a closely guarded secret . of closely guarded secret. of course, he also had a treatment for an enlarged prostate , which for an enlarged prostate, which is said to be unrelated to that cancer diagnosis. is said to be unrelated to that cancer diagnosis . and of course, cancer diagnosis. and of course, the princess of wales spent almost two weeks in hospital after undergoing major abdomen surgery, and the rumour mill again went into overdrive when the prince of wales pulled out of an event on tuesday at very short notice because of what was called a personal matter. lots to discuss and i'm joined now by our royal correspondents, cam walker. cameron, welcome to the show. lots of rumours going into overdrive. shall we start with the princess? do we know any more ? and actually, is it time more? and actually, is it time for the royal family to step up and fill this void? because the rumour mill is spinning out of control? >> yeah. martin, you do speak about this, boys. and that's a very good description for it. and said in your and you said in your introduction there about the

late of never late queen's mantra of never complain, explain . but in complain, never explain. but in this modern social media age of the 21st century, the palace can't control millions of users around the world, offering up their own theory or conspiracy theory about what's happened to theory about what's happened to the princess of wales and creating, let's be frank , quite creating, let's be frank, quite insensitive memes about her as well, particularly on x , and well, particularly on x, and this void has been created . and this void has been created. and what's filling that void is all this unfounded speculation . ian. this unfounded speculation. ian. so it's a really tricky balance for kensington palace because william and catherine really wants their family life and their health matters clearly to remain private. the princess of wales has a right to private medical information. she is not head of state. she doesn't have to tell us anything if she doesn't want to . but by not doesn't want to. but by not speaking out or not clarifying thing, it does fuel these rumours. but at the moment kensington palace are very much insisting the princess is doing very well. sources i've spoken to close to her appear to be

very positive. i'm getting the indication that there is absolutely no reason to panic whatsoever, and if you remember back to their statement in january, they said it's incredibly unlikely we're going to the princess public to see the princess in public until after easter. and they have guidance have not changed their guidance on okay on that. okay >> and we've also had >> and cameron, we've also had more on the sad death of more details on the sad death of thomas kingston. of course, princess michael's son in law. what more do we know now? >> yeah. so the inquest into thomas kingston's death, he was 45, opened this afternoon in gloucestershire and the court heard the inquest heard that he died from a traumatic head injury and a gun was found near to his body in an outbuilding at his parents home in the cotswolds. that's what the inquest heard. there is a lot more details. i'm not sure exactly how long we've got, but just to summarise very quickly, this clearly just the opening this is clearly just the opening of inquest . the coroner will of the inquest. the coroner will give verdict the their give their verdict the their verdict a later date. but at verdict at a later date. but at the time that buckingham palace announced thomas announced the death of thomas kingston earlier this week , uh, kingston earlier this week, uh, the his family paid tribute to

him, saying that he was an exceptional man who lit up the lives of all who knew him . the lives of all who knew him. the king and queen also sent their most heartfelt thoughts and prayers. this a prayers. clearly, this is a very distressing time for the family, especially as details especially as these details become public. >> okay, thank you very much for that update. cameron walker still to come. i look back at the defining moment in this country's proud history as we approach the 40th anniversary of the start of the coal miners strike, but first in a gb news series , innovation britain, series, innovation britain, we're looking at the success of the british manufacturing industry around the country. >> how many companies do you know that export? 65% of what they make ? andrew watts export they make? andrew watts export market being like for you this year ? year? >> it's really held up. well. the export market has grown . um,

the export market has grown. um, so we've had a nice growth on that point, but also we've had good sustained business on on a uk basis as well. >> now, obviously you've been a uk company for over 40 years, so what's it been like through them years ? years? >> everybody's had their ups and downs and we're no different. but since the oh eight crash we we're right back up to the same sort of figures, if not more. so we've had certainly really good growth over the last certainly ten years. so what's this year been like for you? >> good, good. >> good, good. >> we've we've seen some some work certainly coming from the defence side of things with the political situation as it stands at the minute , there's been at the minute, there's been spending on on defence this year and that will certainly continue into the future . into the future. >> and obviously we've talked about how much you export. so what work do you actually do and what work do you actually do and what industries do you work in. >> basically >> it's all basically petrochemical , oil refinery , uh, petrochemical, oil refinery, uh, nuclear. with hinkley point

coming on, uh, coming on soon. that's been good for us. there's hopefully going to be sizeable sea coming up. and that should be good for us as well. >> now, now just last question. >> now, now just last question. >> obviously there's a lot of bad news in uk manufacturing, but how are you finding it as a business owner? >> it's been it's been difficult but certain things have have given us some challenges. but i think those challenges are the same the world over. i think , same the world over. i think, you know, generally uk manufacturing in is in a fairly good.

state >> welcome back. the time is 3.47. you're watching or listening to martin daubney on gb news. now at 4:00 i'll get more reaction to george galloway's controversial win in the rochdale by—election last night. he said the result was

for gaza. it's not for the people of rochdale at all, is it then now around 30 miles north—east of rochdale , hundreds north—east of rochdale, hundreds of politicians, businessmen and other major figures are meeting in leeds at the convention of the north. of course , the tories the north. of course, the tories were elected in 2019 on a promise of levelling up. but is there any sign of that actually happening ? well, let's speak now happening? well, let's speak now to our political correspondent , to our political correspondent, katherine forster, who is there ? katherine forster, who is there? catherine. so it's general election time again and suddenly politicians care about the north. last time it was the northern powerhouse. now it's the convention of the north. what's it all about ? what's it all about? >> yes . people what's it all about? >> yes. people in the what's it all about? >> yes . people in the north of >> yes. people in the north of england have heard it all before. haven't they? martin and bofis before. haven't they? martin and boris johnson in 2019 stood at the first convention of the nonh the first convention of the north and promised to level up the north and the rest of the country that had had a raw deal. that's part of the reason he got

that 80 seat majority. but plenty of people in the north feel that the government surprise, surprise, has has not kept its promises. surprise, surprise, has has not kept its promises . look at hs2, kept its promises. look at hs2, look at northern powerhouse rail now we had angela rayner not yet committing to complete beating hs2 if labour came in and we had michael gove making lots of pledges . um, michael gove making lots of pledges. um, but you know, i'm sceptical that the north are really convinced what they hear and talk to michael gove. of course , the levelling up course, the levelling up secretary one thing that did stand out was we are still talking about boris johnson, even though he is no longer an mp . let's take a look at what he mp. let's take a look at what he had to say. when i asked him if they could still win the next election and if boris johnson could play a part . right. could play a part. right. >> well, the first thing is, yes, i absolutely believe i've been involved in campaigns in the past where we started out in the past where we started out in the low 20s and we ended up

getting of the vote. i was getting 52% of the vote. i was one of the people involved in the campaign. campaigns the brexit campaign. campaigns can people's minds and can change people's minds and you win when it appears you can win even when it appears at the start of the campaign. you're pretty far behind and talking of that brexit campaign, of course boris played a big part in that. boris is a great campaigner. what i would like to see is whole conservative see is the whole conservative family come together order to family come together in order to ensure this country doesn't ensure that this country doesn't face nightmare of a keir face the nightmare of a keir starmer premiership . starmer premiership. >> yes . so a little bit of a starmer premiership. >> yes. so a little bit of a dig there. i suspect that liz truss and others who are shouting from the sidelines about what rishi sunak could do differently, but clearly the conservatives are in a pretty dreadful position in the polls. they need to do something drastic. um, it does sound like michael gove thinks that boris could really help them. let's see if it happens. but meanwhile , in the red wall, but meanwhile, in the red wall, a lot of those voters that voted

conservative last time, it looks like they're not going to be giving that vote next time. >> yeah. katherine forster i to share your cynicism , they all share your cynicism, they all suddenly become fans of the nonh suddenly become fans of the north when the election comes and can i just say, what about the midlands? never seems to get talked about? katherine forster, thank you very much. at the convention of the north. now to an event that means so much to so many people in britain, including myself, because 40 years ago today, the national coal board announced the closure of cortonwood colliery in south yorkshire. four days later, a cortonwood miners walked out on strike. the strike spread rapidly through the coalfields, polarised the entire country and left a legacy in the former mining communities that still lingers to this day . our lingers to this day. our reporter anna riley, has this special report . special report. >> this was cottonwood colliery. >> this was cottonwood colliery. >> now . now it's >> this was cottonwood colliery. >> now. now it's a >> this was cottonwood colliery. >> now . now it's a busy retail >> now. now it's a busy retail park in south yorkshire. >> the announcement to close the pit triggered the nationwide

miners strikes, one of the most significant industrial disputes of the 20th century. >> john greaves was one of those miners that stopped working 12 months on strike with no money. >> yeah, it's hard work . months on strike with no money. >> yeah, it's hard work. i did a bit of part time work , um, and bit of part time work, um, and we managed it. families split up because brothers, some brothers went back to work and, you know, there were all the bad things that could happen. john was devastated when production stopped at his pits in goldthorpe . goldthorpe. >> he was in his 40s and had worked there since he left school. >> i thought the world had come to an end. i really did. i don't mind admitting i cried on the way home. i couldn't see a future. not that i putting yourself in any risk, but i just thought, i don't know what i want to do because i've done a lot, you know, i've done a lot of things while in the pit, but it just seemed alien to me to move out environment move out of that environment that was so comfortable with. that i was so comfortable with. i loved the the conditions i loved the work. the conditions were i really didn't were awful, but i really didn't know anything else . the

know anything else. the camaraderie was second to none since the pit closed in goldthorpe , urban decay has set goldthorpe, urban decay has set in with boarded up shops and houses lining streets. >> once thriving with trade, these pits have shut. >> it'sjust these pits have shut. >> it's just gone downhill . >> it's just gone downhill. there's drugs all over the place and, uh, you never see any council workers around here cleaning it up or anything. >> we've had a murder. um, the other week. um, i wouldn't say it's a great place at the minute to be bringing kids up. when i was younger, everybody knew everybody . dodi. everybody. dodi. >> we were safe on the street . >> we were safe on the street. we'd go all the shops as banks and stuff like that. it's just gone that to zero. when the gone from that to zero. when the pits closed, sort of pits closed, the sort of government never had a back up strategy for , you know, strategy for, you know, employment in this area . so employment in this area. so everybody just went from earning good regular money to good money, uh, regular money to nothing . nothing. >> filmmakers rebecca and dean sills have produced the award winning film regeneration to chronicle south yorkshire's mining history.

>> most of the family were miners and the ground does the miners and the ground does the miners the macgregor, and does the miners. >> so it's like a memory thing, really. >> we've got to remember it because like there were an older generation like our rebecca don't have a clue what this area were like when there were pits here. >> it looks totally different. so there's a lot of areas that's run—down, but then you've got beautiful areas like, uh, where we are today , 40 years on, the we are today, 40 years on, the miners strike is remembered by those that lived through it. >> but the effects of the pit closures remain to this day. anna riley gb news, who's. >> yeah, it's hard not to get moved by that, isn't it? you know, those pits went communities were ripped apart. nothing replaced them. nothing ever replaced them. i'll be talking lot more about this nothing ever replaced them. i'll be ta in ng lot more about this nothing ever replaced them. i'll be ta in the lot more about this nothing ever replaced them. i'll be ta in the show,iore about this nothing ever replaced them. i'll be ta in the show, including. this nothing ever replaced them. i'll be tain the show, including. iss later in the show, including. is it bnng later in the show, including. is it bring back the pits it time to bring back the pits now? george galloway's win in the rochdale by—election, a cause of massive controversy. we'll the full analysis we'll have the full analysis after this. i'm martin daubney on gb news fryston news . channel

on gb news fryston news. channel a brighter outlook with boxt solar sponsors of weather on . gb news. >> hello there. welcome to your latest gb news weather update with me, annie from the met office. the rest of the day will remain cold wherever you are. there's a further risk of rain showers some hill snow. got showers and some hill snow. got low pressure. still charge . low pressure. still in charge. that's air wrapped that's got cold air wrapped around as around it as well as well as these occluded fronts. and that's where the focus for the most persistent will most persistent rain will continue be. that area will continue to be. that area will push into more southern areas of scotland evening scotland through this evening and scotland and then into northern scotland later on tonight, so we could see snow falling above around 150 to 200m further south. it should stay drier for a time this evening, but overnight there's more persistent area of rain will push in to the south coast and then towards the coast and then up towards the midlands. brings a risk midlands. that brings a risk of snow to some lower levels by tomorrow morning, so it will be a cold start to the weekend, wherever and it will wherever you are, and it will remain overcast and

remain quite overcast and wet through much day. for through much of the day. for central of england, as central areas of england, as well northern areas of well as northern areas of england. later on. by england. later on. but by mid—morning further south and west, we'll see a mix of sunshine and showers. but those showers risk of heavy showers bring a risk of heavy downpours well as some hail downpours as well as some hail and further hill snow. so another quite unsettled and cold feeling day to come through tomorrow. sunday will is looking a much drier on the whole there's still a risk of showers, particularly across the south as well as the far north, but many areas should see a much drier day with greater chance of day with a greater chance of some and it won't feel some sunshine, and it won't feel too bad in the sunshine. we are now into meteorological spring, but is some further rain but there is some further rain to move into the southwest later on. on monday. bye. that on. on monday. bye bye. that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers sponsors of weather on .

gb news. >> a very good afternoon to you. it's 4 pm. a happy friday and welcome to the martin daubney show on gb news broadcasting live the heart of live from the heart of westminster. all the uk. westminster. all across the uk. on show , george galloway on today's show, george galloway will back in the house of will be back in the house of commons next week and we've been asking of his constituents asking some of his constituents what think about having him what they think about having him as their and it's fair to as their mp, and it's fair to say they have not held back . say they have not held back. >> i think it's an absolute disgrace . what's he going to do disgrace. what's he going to do for rochdale ? well, i just don't for rochdale? well, i just don't know . know. >> so ashamed . >> so ashamed. >> so ashamed. >> and it's now emerged that the government's rwanda plan could end up costing us wait for it half £1 billion. and remember , half £1 billion. and remember, we still haven't sent a single solitary migrant to the african nation. plus i look back on one of the modern era's most defining moments. it's 40 years since the miners strike started today, and the communities where the mines closed are still feeling the after effects . and feeling the after effects. and that's all coming up in your

next hour . welcome to the show. next hour. welcome to the show. it's an absolute pleasure , as it's an absolute pleasure, as always, to have your company. i want to ask you a question. is the mob about to take over politics? rishi sunak said yesterday the mob has taken over the streets after they knocked on his door at parliament last week. it's out of control, he said. they spent £31 million on secure city. but what about politics? george galloway sensational victory last night. an election fought in rochdale. an election fought in rochdale. a proud northern town fought on an issue in gaza thousands of miles away . and yet he won. when miles away. and yet he won. when you look ahead to the electoral map of where the muslim vote is in britain, there are 220 or so seats where this could be replicated. nigel farage said he thinks we will see the emergence of a new sectarian politics, divided along lines of religion.

does that concern you? should we try and do something about that, or is that just the way things are? get in touch. the usual way is gbviews@gbnews.com but now it's is gbviews@gbnews.com but now wsfime is gbviews@gbnews.com but now it's time for your latest news headunes it's time for your latest news headlines with tatiana sanchez . headlines with tatiana sanchez. >> martin. thank you. your top stories from the gb newsroom. rishi sunak says the campaign in rochdale was one of the most divisive in recent times, after last night's by—election win by george galloway , the uk's george galloway, the uk's leading jewish organisation, has described the workers party leader as a conspiracy theorist who brings division and hate to every place he's ever stood for parliament. during his career, galloway has also presented programmes for both the russian and iranian state broadcasters . and iranian state broadcasters. labour leader sir keir starmer says he'll stoke fear and division . division. >> galloway only won because labour didn't stand a candidate. i regret that we had to withdraw

our candidate and apologised to voters in rochdale , but i took voters in rochdale, but i took that decision . it was the right that decision. it was the right decision and when i say i changed the labour party, i mean it . obviously we will put it. obviously we will put a first class candidate, a unifier before the voters in rochdale at the general election . the general election. >> the cost of the government's rwanda scheme could soar to half £1 billion, plus hundreds of thousands more for each migrant sent there . sent there. >> an investigation by the pubuc >> an investigation by the public spending watchdog found. the millions in additional spending includes £11,000 for each migrants plane ticket. there will also be an extra £20,000 paid to rwanda for every asylum seeker who's relocated with more than £150,000 per person to cover ongoing costs, the prime minister says the plan is vital to clamping down on illegal migration. >> taxpayers are already forking out millions of pounds a day to house illegal migrants in hotels across the country. that's not right , and across the country. that's not

right, and that's why i made stopping the boats one of my priorities. i'm pleased that we've made progress. last year, the were down by the numbers were down by a third. it never happened before. shows the plans are shows that the plans are working, but order to fully working, but in order to fully resolve this issue, we need to have a deterrent. we need to be able say, you come here able to say, if you come here illegally, you be to illegally, you won't be able to stay. can remove you to a stay. we can remove you to a safe country. that's why the rwanda scheme so important. rwanda scheme is so important. it's worthwhile investment it's the worthwhile investment and determined it through. >> in law of prince >> the son in law of prince michael of kent died from a traumatic head wound. >> thomas kingston was visiting his parents home in the cotswolds, where he was later found in an outbuilding by found dead in an outbuilding by emergency services on the 25th of february. the inquest at gloucestershire coroner's court heard a gun recovered from heard a gun was recovered from the scene , police the scene, but police say they're satisfied the death is not suspicious . three people not suspicious. three people have been jailed for life for the murder of a vulnerable woman who was tortured to death . the who was tortured to death. the court heard that 35 year old shakira spencer was found dead in west london in 2022, after

the trio treated her like a slave before killing her. ashana studholme sean pendlebury and lisa richardson have each been ordered to serve a minimum tum of 34 years. a man has been jailed for life for what the judge described as a horrific catalogue of murders. joshua jacks killed his girlfriend samantha drummond, and three members of her family in bermondsey , in south—east bermondsey, in south—east london. court heard. the 29 london. the court heard. the 29 year old stabbed his victims in what he claimed was a sacrifice , what he claimed was a sacrifice, as he admitted manslaughter. but denied murder on the basis that he was mentally unwell at the time . he's been ordered to serve time. he's been ordered to serve a minimum terme of 46 years. a man has been given a rare whole life order for what a judge described as a ferocious and merciless attack on his former partner and her new boyfriend . partner and her new boyfriend. the 27 year old katie hickton and stephen harnett, who was 25, were killed by marcus osborn, the court heard that he waited for miss higdon at the house they used to share before using

her phone to lure her new partner to the address. he then continued his violent attack, raping another woman and holding her captive . at the address . in her captive. at the address. in other news, he cost of a postage stamp is going up as royal mail raises prices yet again amid a dramatic drop in demand , first dramatic drop in demand, first class stamps will rise by £0.10 to £1.35, while second class are also going up by the same amount to £0.85 per stamp. a year ago, a first class stamp cost just £0.95. the increase comes after warnings by the troubled delivery giant over the impact of lower demand for postage, which it says is pushing up costs and the uk's eurovision entry has dropped . entry has dropped. >> won't you make me dizzy from kiss ? kiss? >> will you take my hand and steady . round >> will you take my hand and steady. round and round . until steady. round and round. until the moment . the moment. >> olly alexander has launched

his brand new single dizzee ahead of this year's song contest. due to take place in sweden in may. the 33 year old singer has already enjoyed success with his former bandmates in years and years, scoring a combined five top ten uk singles and two number one albums. for the latest stories, you can sign up to gb news alerts by scanning the qr code on your screen. or you can go to gb news. comment alerts. now it's back to . martin it's back to. martin >> thank you tatiana. now we've got so much to get stuck into this hour, but there really, of course, is only one place to start. and it's with this keir starmer . starmer. >> this is for gaza . >> this is for gaza. >> this is for gaza. >> yes, that's right. rochdale. that proud town that is seen as the birthplace of the co—operative movement. now an mp who seems to be more bothered

about a place more than 2000 miles away, george galloway has been an mp for the labour party , been an mp for the labour party, an independent mp, a respect party mp and now as the leader of the workers party of britain. he's the country's newest member of parliament. looky looky. as a well, let's go over this now. i'm joined in the studio by our political correspondent , olivia political correspondent, olivia utley olivier. welcome back to the studio. a line that leapt out last night in the analysis of this nigel farage said he thinks the takeaway message from this is this is setting the template now for a sectarian ruling based electorate . this is ruling based electorate. this is the first of many, as he saw it. and olivier, we looked at some of these constituencies earlier. there are a huge number of seats in the uk with 60, 50, 45% muslim population in the electoral roll , muslim population in the electoral roll, and that's only set to increase. is this a thing 7

set to increase. is this a thing ? is it a problem? >> well, i think there's definitely at least a nugget of truth in what nigel farage said. i mean, george galloway fought this campaign on an unashamedly pro—gay footing. he said from the beginning that he would be fighting this election for gaza and he received nearly 40% of the vote in rochdale and of course, it's not just rochdale . course, it's not just rochdale. rochdale has a muslim population of about 30. galloway obviously targeted them very clearly . but targeted them very clearly. but you have a list. you've just passed me a list of other constituencies which also have huge proportions of muslims and those tend to be the constituencies where they're mostly represented by labour and mostly represented by labour and mostly the labour mps who represent those constituencies have been very actively calling for a ceasefire in the house of commons. so it does feel, at least to some extent, as though sort of sectarian politics is making its way slowly into westminster. that said, i think we need to have a bit of a note of caution with this. rochdale was an extraordinary set of circumstances . there pretty

circumstances. there was pretty much around every single much scandal around every single candidate. i mean broad brush. there are a couple, a couple of exceptions there. um, and of course, labour's campaign imploded and it felt really as though george galloway won by default . also, turnout was very default. also, turnout was very low indeed . so i don't think we low indeed. so i don't think we can extrapolate the rochdale result election result onto the general election as a whole. but i think nigel farage is right that it is something that we should be keeping an eye on. >> and i wonder if this has happened. hasn't happened happened. it hasn't happened in a as we saw the a vacuum as it like we saw the mob taking over the street rishi sunak saying the mob has taken mob taking over the street rishi sunaiwell,ng the mob has taken mob taking over the street rishi sunaiwell, that's mob has taken mob taking over the street rishi sunaiwell, that's because; taken mob taking over the street rishi sunaiwell, that's because they�*n over. well, that's because they came knocking on your door. but around country, people around the country, people have seen coming a long seen this coming for a long time. i've seen galloway campaign. he's extremely impressive campaigner in batley and there during and spen. i went there during the last by—election. stood the last by—election. he stood in. i chaired a free speech rally the square because rally in the town square because of the grammar school of the batley grammar school teacher, who's still in hiding three years next friday, three years he's been in hiding and the politicians there singularly failed to grasp this as an issue. allow allowing it to be

filled with people like galloway. but the question is, is it just galloway as a one trick pony? or could there be other galloway's in other seats to replicate last night's spectacular victory? >> well, as you say, martin galloway is an extraordinary character . he is, you know, like character. he is, you know, like him or loathe him. and i think quite a lot of people loathe him. he is charismatic in his way. he is a fantastic campaigner. he's a veteran campaigner. he's a veteran campaigner. he's a veteran campaigner. he's been in an mp before. it's not like there are hundreds of galloway's waiting in the wings, ready to exploit these sectarian divides. but but as you say, this is an issue which has been building and building and building and it does feel as though mps haven't really got a grip on it. i'm sort of reading between the lines. you can some lines. you can see some frustration rishi sunak at frustration from rishi sunak at the for it seems as the police for it seems as though he feels that they don't quite have a have a grip on it. i mean, i'm putting words into his mouth a bit, but he reminded them of their own powers last week when about protests week when talking about protests around mps houses and suella

braverman. then his home secretary essentially suggested to police a few months ago that they could close down protests . they could close down protests. so there definitely is some frustration about this building issue among conservative mps at least. but it is an issue. it is building , least. but it is an issue. it is building, and if it least. but it is an issue. it is building , and if it goes much building, and if it goes much further , then you could see further, then you could see a repeat of what happened in rochdale last night. eventually indeed, and olivia utley the tory mps who speak out about it. >> lee anderson suspended suella braverman got the chop. so there we go. thank you very much for joining the studio. now joining us in the studio. now moving swiftly onwards, reform uk leader richard tice claimed that party's candidate, uk leader richard tice claimed that danczuk,:andidate, uk leader richard tice claimed that danczuk, hadidate, uk leader richard tice claimed that danczuk, had received a simon danczuk, had received a death threat during the by—election campaign. and here's what rishi sunak had to say. well it was very concerning to see the reports of intimidation through the by—election and by all accounts, one of the most divisive campaigns that we've seen recent times . seen in recent times. >> you know, i'm pleased that the conservative party was the only party to run a really

positive focussed on positive campaign focussed on local issues with a great local candidate, paul ellison . and, candidate, paul ellison. and, you know, that's where we are . you know, that's where we are. >> so george galloway accused sir keir starmer of enabling, encouraging and covering what he called the catastro jffi in gaza. well, here's what the labour leader had to say this afternoon. >> i think the right thing is to concentrate on the awful situation in gaza . tens of situation in gaza. tens of thousands of people have been killed, hostages are still being held, been held for a very long time and therefore the right thing is for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to ensure that hostages can get out human, an aid desperately needed can get in, and that we can put our foot in the door for a process, a political process to a two state solution that involves the recognition of palestine . recognition of palestine. >> well, i'm joined now by john rentoul, who's the chief political commentator for the independent . welcome to the

independent. welcome to the show, john. so, john, i guess the big question is you know, was this an isolated incident? galloway as a one trick pony or as he seemed to suggest himself, of course, he's always his own biggest fan. could this be those tectonic plates shifting ? could tectonic plates shifting? could this be a new movement ? could this be a new movement? could this be a new movement? could this be a new movement? could this be labour's worst nightmare ? >> 7- >> no, it's 7_ >> no, it's a 7— >> no, it's a one 7 >> no, it's a one off martin. no, i mean, as olivia pointed out there, you know, the circumstances of that by—election were exceptional . by—election were exceptional. >> i mean, for labour to disown its own candidate during the campaign , pain produced an campaign, pain produced an unexpected result. >> i mean, we'll never know what would have happened if labour had had a respectable candidate who they campaigned for. >> would it would have been quite close between between george galloway and labour. and you're quite right. there are other maybe a few other, um , other maybe a few other, um, constituencies around the country where that kind of politics could , could gain politics could, could gain a toehold. >> i, uh, george galloway used

to be my mp in bethnal green. >> um, so i'm familiar with his his , his style of politics. his, his style of politics. >> but i think there are very few seats that in a general election, uh, candidates like george galloway can win. >> when you look at the electoral calculus , john, there electoral calculus, john, there are easy 20 seats where galloway and his party might fancy having and his party might fancy having a p0p and his party might fancy having a pop across the west midlands, across yorkshire, lots of them, of course, concentrated in london. >> you mentioned bethnal green and we speak to an independent candidate at 5:00 who fancies his chances there. could it have that critical mass? could it get together? could there be a sectarian politics emerging, as nigel farage said, or again, is it just a spectacular one off? >> i don't i not in a general election, i think, i think it's, i think things are different there. i mean, george galloway, yes, he, he won, he won in bethnal 2005. uh, after bethnal green in 2005. uh, after the, after the iraq war . uh, bethnal green in 2005. uh, after the, after the iraq war. uh, but again, that was a one off. uh, you know, the a very special,

uh, constituency , which i know. uh, constituency, which i know. well, um, has its own, has its own politics and always has . um, own politics and always has. um, but there are very few such places in the uk. uh, and, you know, talk of, you know, 20, 30 seats, uh , you know, labour seats, uh, you know, labour being vulnerable in, in that number of seats. i think is, well, overblown . well, overblown. >> i wonder if things have moved on, though. john, um, we like to think that politics is a continuum of flopping between labour and the conservatives of course, it's hard for independents to get hold. the brexit reform now they've brexit party reform now they've all struggled to cut through . all struggled to cut through. but we've seen now repeatedly, week after week after week, thousands and thousands and thousands and thousands and thousands of people turn out the heart seems to be in this movement in a way which could precipitate a more galvanised political movement, could it not? no i don't think so. >> i mean, you know, there may be thousands of people on the streets of london protesting about gaza, uh, every weekend . about gaza, uh, every weekend. uh, but if you look at the

national opinion polls, labour are, uh, 20 points ahead and continue to be 20 points ahead. and you know, that means that in most of the country, uh, labour is heading for a comfortable election, election victory. there may be 1 or 2 seats as i said, where, uh, where they could lose to a galloway type, uh, candidate. but, uh , this is uh, candidate. but, uh, this is this is only this is a blip on the road to, uh, to, uh, a labour victory . labour victory. >> but if, for example , a party, >> but if, for example, a party, rather than spreading the margarine fine and fighting everywhere and losing everywhere, we've seen parties do that before to fight ostensibly a series of by elections in seats highly targeted, highly , you know, targeted, highly, you know, specific messaging to the muslim community, to the hard left. >> that's a different proposition to a party just fighting in an ordinary way. but you still remain unconvinced. you still think this is just a blip in the in the road ? blip in the in the road? >> yeah, absolutely. absolutely. i you look at the i mean, if you look at the opinion polling, evidence of the

attitudes of, of muslim voters in uh, they're mostly in britain, uh, they're mostly concerned with the cost of living and the nhs and the economy generally, jobs and the rest of it. uh, there's a minority who are very agitated about , uh, about minority who are very agitated about, uh, about foreign minority who are very agitated about , uh, about foreign affairs about, uh, about foreign affairs , uh, but generally , uh, you , uh, but generally, uh, you know, they're going they're going to vote, they're going to vote labour unless they feel taken for granted. and that's, you know, something that can that can happen specific that can happen in specific places . but i think that can happen in specific places. but i think in a that can happen in specific places . but i think in a general places. but i think in a general election, that's not be election, that's not going to be it's not going to be a significant issue. >> they certainly >> okay. well, they certainly felt for granted last felt taken for granted last night. and certainly night. and they certainly voted in way. but thanks in a different way. but thanks for input. john rentoul was for your input. john rentoul was the former the chief political commentator for the independent. the former the chief political comm

an absolute disgrace. >> i think it's a really, really good thing for rochdale and just for the country in general . good thing for rochdale and just for the country in general. uh, it's been a long time coming . it's been a long time coming. he's been supporting the right side of history for a long time. um, there's a lot of people that don't really want to see him win. probably the kind win. it's probably the same kind of don't want to see of people that don't want to see jeremy make a difference jeremy corbyn make a difference in world. in the world. >> won. really on the >> he's won. it's really on the back the war in palestine line. >> um, what what interests he has in rochdale itself. i have noidea.i has in rochdale itself. i have no idea . i think he's just come no idea. i think he's just come here to pursue his his political career. >> really. i think all he's going to do when he gets into parliament is try to disrupt the labour party. >> so ashamed of being in rochdale. yeah um, yeah . i'm rochdale. yeah um, yeah. i'm just really disappointed . i just really disappointed. i mean, the man , it doesn't live mean, the man, it doesn't live here. this is the third political party he's managed to wangle himself into . wangle himself into. >> instead of concentrating on what should be happening local with rochdale aliens , with the

with rochdale aliens, with the people that live in this area. breathe it . you know , um, he's breathe it. you know, um, he's got in on the gaza ticket . got in on the gaza ticket. >> i think he took advantage of the situation in gaza, and there were very large asian population i >> -- >> there you have it, a divided electorate in a divided town , in electorate in a divided town, in a divided britain , now a divided britain, now precipitated out into a divided politics. about 5:00, i'll speak to a man who'll be standing as an independent in bethnal green and bow at the next election. and that constituency has got the ninth highest percentage of muslim voters in the country . muslim voters in the country. and he says that george galloway's win was an inspiration , and there's plenty inspiration, and there's plenty of coverage on our website, gb news dot com, and you've helped to make it the fastest growing national news website in the country. so thank you very much . country. so thank you very much. now, rishi sunak has been in scotland today and he's made a pitch for votes by talking up the importance of north sea oil

and gas. let's see how that goes down with the electorate. there i'm martin daubney on gb news, britain's news channel .

>> 2024 a battleground year , the >> 2024 a battleground year, the year the nation decides as the parties gear up their campaign plans for the next general election . election. >> who will be left standing when the british people make one of the biggest decisions of their lives? >> who rise and who will >> who will rise and who will fall? >> let's find out together. >> let's find out together. >> for every moment, the highs , >> for every moment, the highs, the lows, twists and turns . the lows, the twists and turns. >> we'll be with you for every step of this journey. >> in 2024. gb news is britain's election . channel. election. channel. >> welcome back. 425 is the time you're watching or listening to martin daubney on gb news now,

later this hour, i'll tell you why the cost of the rwanda bill could be as high as half a billion pounds. could be as high as half a billion pounds . you couldn't billion pounds. you couldn't make it up. they haven't sent a single person to rwanda yet. yet it's half £1 billion. is now. rishi sunak visited aberdeen earlier today, speaking at this scottish conservative conference and despite that recent polling, the prime minister said he expects the tories to make gains in scotland at the next general election . now, in particular, election. now, in particular, sunak outlined his view that nonh sunak outlined his view that north sea oil and gas remains paramount to britain's energy security . security. >> and it's only the scottish conservatives who are defending our energy security and the thousands of jobs here in the nonh thousands of jobs here in the north east that depend on the oil and gas sector. a vote for anyone else is a vote to shut down this industry. now what the nationalists in hock to their green allies can't see is that if you destroy the industry that we have here now, you will stop aberdeen being home to the

industries of the future . and as industries of the future. and as for labour, well, it says so much about them that they don't want to ban all oil and gas. they just want to ban british oil and gas. with their ban on nonh oil and gas. with their ban on north sea exploration, it shows so clearly that their values are not our country's values, that they put virtue signalling ahead of our nation's energy security . of our nation's energy security. >> yeah, a lot of people will be will be crying hurrah at that. >> we've been waiting for a point of difference between the two parties on energy for so long. and don't forget that the only poll booth rishi sunak face long. and don't forget that the on recent booth rishi sunak face long. and don't forget that the on recent times rishi sunak face long. and don't forget that the on recent times is shi sunak face long. and don't forget that the on recent times is wheninak face long. and don't forget that the on recent times is when he( face long. and don't forget that the on recent times is when he put e in recent times is when he put back that ridiculous ban on electric cars, net zero isn't popular . give the electorate a popular. give the electorate a choice . and now, joining me to choice. and now, joining me to go over this is our economics and business editor liam halligan with on the money . halligan with on the money. liam, welcome to the show. always an absolute pleasure. as you know , this will be music to

you know, this will be music to your ears. mr halligan, you've been talking about this for an eternity. britain should be energy sovereign. we import £19.6 billion worth of gas every single year. yet we're sat on our own resources. surely, liam, at last. this is some common sense . sense. >> very interesting. martin that rishi sunak is in scotland . the rishi sunak is in scotland. the conservatives, of course, choosing to hold their spring conference north of the border there used to be an old joke among party wags at westminster that there were more pandas in scotland than there were tory mps , because glasgow zoo had mps, because glasgow zoo had a couple of pandas from from china . there are now seven tory mps, seven of the 59 mps who sit at westminster for constituencies in scotland, separate from the scottish parliament, of course, and labour only have two mps in scotland . labour for much of our scotland. labour for much of our life, martin has dominated scottish politics, but not now, but with the snp very much not

falling out of favour, but certainly facing lots of challenges. with the change of leadership. after nicola sturgeon and so on. the tories hope they can make serious gains in scotland . labour also know in scotland. labour also know that unless they win in scotland, they are going to scotland, they are not going to win country as a whole. win in the country as a whole. they are not going to get the keys to downing street. so this is backdrop to why rishi is the backdrop to why rishi sunak north of border. sunak is north of the border. aberdeen, oil aberdeen, of course, is the oil and gas capital of europe. i've reported there for gb news several times, made films. it's a major part of the scottish economy, a major part of the british economy are oil and gas complex . so let's just have complex. so let's just have a little look. it's got to be time for it. on the money graphic. martin i don't know about you, but that we need one. but i feel that we need one. i feel that we need one. and here it listeners, just it is. radio listeners, just bear there are around bear with me. there are around 300 active north sea oil and gas fields. they have a natural shelf life, if you like, and over half of currently active fields in the north sea will

cease production by 2030. so just 5 or 6 years time, the nonh just 5 or 6 years time, the north sea is a major production site for hydrocarbons , and it site for hydrocarbons, and it still is. it provides 83% of the oil used by the uk. we are, of course, the fifth or sixth biggest economy in the world, and 54% of our gas and oil and gas combined. anyone who says the oil and gas don't matter just doesn't understand anything about modern economics, frankly, because oil and gas still accounts for 75% of all uk energy. not 75% of electricity generation . that's very generation. that's very different. it's more like 35 to 40% of electricity generation . 40% of electricity generation. but all energy when you consider transport and other energy uses, it's still overwhelmed . oil and it's still overwhelmed. oil and gas. so look, the north sea oil and gas industry for a long time, it's already paid 30% corporation tax . the rate for corporation tax. the rate for everyone else is 25. on top of that, for a long time it's paid

another 10% supplementary tax. that's 40 during the russia—ukraine conflict, when energy prices shot up, the tories put a 25% and then a 35% levy on that top of that 40% levy. so now oil and gas companies drilling oil and gas in the uk , in the north sea, in the uk, in the north sea, they pay a 75% windfall tax . and they pay a 75% windfall tax. and labour say that's not enough . if labour say that's not enough. if we're going to put a proper windfall tax on the north sea, oil and gas industry, well, i don't know where you go north of 75. rishi sunak has said he doesn't want to say if the windfall tax and oil and gas in the uk is going to be cut, because we've got a budget next week, of course, but labour are committed to increasing it and that won't do them any favours in scotland. it will, with some voters, but an awful lot of people in scotland understand that. people in scotland understand that . aberdeen, the oil and gas that. aberdeen, the oil and gas industry as a whole, is a major, major part of the prosperity of the uk as a whole, and

particularly scotland north of the border, as does the gmb , the the border, as does the gmb, the general, municipal and boilermakers union, as was the second biggest union in the country. they are really angry at the labour party that the labour party wants to increase the windfall tax on oil and gas , the windfall tax on oil and gas, not least because hundreds of thousands of their members, the unions members, work in the oil and gas industry. so this is not and gas industry. so this is not a straightforward debate. this goes way beyond, you know, the whys and wherefores and the truths and falsehoods of net zero. this is deep party politics. the tories north of the border in scotland. they may feel that they've got a chance . feel that they've got a chance. >> liam halligan, you've been superb all week, but you save your best till last. that was excellent. thank you, my friend. have a good one. great stuff. there's lots more still to come between now and 5:00. and i'll tell you why. today is a hugely significant day for people like myself and my dad, who's a proud coal miner for 47 years. but

first, it's time for your latest news headlines with tatiana sanchez. news headlines with tatiana sanchez . martin. sanchez. martin. >> thank you. your top stories from the gb newsroom. some breaking news. first, we're heanng breaking news. first, we're hearing that the prime minister will make a statement at downing street just after 530 this afternoon. we will, of course, bnng afternoon. we will, of course, bring you that live here on gb news now, the prime minister says the campaign in rochdale was one of the most divisive in recent times. after last night's by—election win by george galloway , the uk's leading galloway, the uk's leading jewish organisation has described the workers party leader as a conspiracy theorist who brings division and hate to every place he's ever stood for parliament. during his career, galloway has also presented programmes for the russian and iranian state broadcasters. labour leader sir keir starmer says he'll stoke fear and division the cost of the government's rwanda scheme could sought a half £1 billion, plus hundreds of thousands more for

each migrant sent there . an each migrant sent there. an investigation by the public spending watchdog found. the millions in additional spending includes £11,000 for each migrants plane ticket . there migrants plane ticket. there will also be an extra £20,000 paid to rwanda for every asylum seeker who's relocated with more than 150,000 per person to cover ongoing costs. than 150,000 per person to cover ongoing costs . the than 150,000 per person to cover ongoing costs. the son in law of prince michael of kent died from a traumatic head wound. thomas kingston was visiting his parents home in the cotswolds, where he was later found dead in an outbuilding by emergency services on the 25th of february. the inquest at gloucestershire coroner's court heard a gun was recovered from the scene, but police say they're satisfied the death isn't suspicious . and the cost isn't suspicious. and the cost of a postage stamp is going up as royal mail raises prices yet again amid a dramatic drop in demand for first class . stamps demand for first class. stamps will rise by £0.10 to £1.35, while second class also going up by the same amount to £0.85 per

stamp. a year ago , a first class stamp. a year ago, a first class stamp. a year ago, a first class stamp cost . just £0.95. for the stamp cost. just £0.95. for the latest stories , you can sign up latest stories, you can sign up to gb news alerts by scanning the qr code on your screen. or you can go to gb news. com slash alerts . alerts. >> thank you. tatiana now, the government's rwanda plan could end up costing us half a billion quid. that's right, £500 million. and not a single person has yet been flown to the african nation. i'm martin daubney on gb news, britain's news channel .

welcome back to approaching 438. and you're watching or listening to martin daubney on gb news. now,

reminder of that breaking news we brought you a few minutes ago . the prime minister will make a statement at downing street just after 5:30 pm. today. what will that be about? the rumour mill is an overdrive, and we will, of course bring you that live here on gb news as now get this , the on gb news as now get this, the government's rwanda plan, which so far seen precisely zero migrants sent to the country. but three home secretaries fly out there instead. well that could be costing us up to half £1 billion. home secretary james cleverly was in rwanda in december to sign a new deportation deal . and it's deportation deal. and it's emerged today that if we ever do send 300 migrants out there, then the uk will have to give rwanda yet another £120 million as well, to go over these frankly stratospheric numbers. i'm joined by our home and security editor, mark white. mark, welcome to the show . half

mark, welcome to the show. half £1 billion. no. one sends out there is this worth pursuing? and these numbers , they just and these numbers, they just don't add up, do they ? don't add up, do they? >> yeah. i mean, those are the big and important questions. you've got to wonder whether james cleverly is now kicking himself that he ever took rishi sunak up on his very kind offer to give up the trappings of the foreign office for a move to the home office. as frenetic as things can be at the foreign office, it's nothing as compared to the home office. it is just relentless crisis after crisis , relentless crisis after crisis, and most of it revolving around that situation with the migrant crisis. the latest, of course , crisis. the latest, of course, being the detail coming through from the national audit office on just how much this rwanda policy will cost the uk taxpayer half £1 billion. and much of thatis half £1 billion. and much of that is made up by the rwanda partnership , which is that is made up by the rwanda partnership, which is a deal by the uk and the government in

kigali to ensure that there is investment in rwanda, in the economy, in its growth and development and its ability to be able to offer a good life to these asylum seekers. we knew, of course, martin, that 290 million was the price tag already for that partnership, but there were many other millions of pounds that we would be forking out in the years ahead.the be forking out in the years ahead. the government never told us what that amounted to, but now the national audit office does and it is, you know, an eye—watering figure. i think what the home office will say is you've got to look at the bigger picture in terms of what they're trying to do here by this rwanda policy, if it ever gets off the ground, then it could save many billions of pounds to the uk taxpayer is a key point you raise there, mark, because even though half £1 billion, of course is a stratospheric amount of money, if you look at the reckoning yesterday, the labour party said it's now £15 million

every single day on asylum seeker hotels, and that's only actually 39 days worth to get to this half a billion. >> so maybe it is worth pursuing with. >> well, the government would certainly say that. and they say that there is a cost to doing nothing and just to hammer home thatissue nothing and just to hammer home that issue of asylum seeker accommodation, the government themselves are estimating that in two years time, 2026, we could be facing a bill to the uk taxpayer of £11 billion annually for asylum seeker accommodation. so it is a big under growing crisis and the more we get these boats coming across the english channel with hundreds of more migrants , they need to be put up migrants, they need to be put up in accommodation , they need all in accommodation, they need all the wraparound services . and the wraparound services. and although many people have been under standardly raising an eyebrow or two in hearing the news that we're going to be giving the rwandan government

£170,000 for each asylum seeker that gets sent to rwanda for £170,000 a year, that is actually not that much different to what we are paying to house them in hotels. here, a single asylum seeker to be housed in hotel accommodation and to get all the services of health, education and um, legal counsel and eventually , of course, and eventually, of course, assimilation into the wider economy and settlement into sort of proper housing, all costs , a of proper housing, all costs, a significant amount of money as well . well. >> okay. superb stuff as ever. thank you. mark white for that excellent analysis as ever. thank you. now a man has been jailed for two years after. okay. we're coming to that shortly. but now we are going. we're breaking on that rishi sunak statement. let's get more of the news. we broke a few minutes ago and that is this rishi sunak will now make a statement at downing street shortly after 5:30, and the

rumour mill is certainly spinning into overdrive. and let's discuss that now with our political correspondent , olivia political correspondent, olivia utley olivia draghi moments. the last time this thing happened , last time this thing happened, it's a general election being called. are the rumours called. what are the rumours out there ? there? >> well , absolutely. it was >> well, absolutely. it was thought at first that it probably would be a general election if you take out recess , election if you take out recess, it's six weeks until the 2nd of may, which is when the local elections are. but it now sounds as though it probably isn't going to be an announcement of a general which would general election, which would fit fact rishi fit in with the fact that rishi sunak said that the general sunak has said that the general election will be in the second half of this year , is what we half of this year, is what we understand that it is likely understand is that it is likely to be a speech about defending democracy, looking back at the last few weeks, we have heard some pretty troubling stories about, uh, anti—semitism and also about the threat to mps. tobias ellwood, a conservative mp, his house was surrounded by pro—palestine protesters, while his wife and children were inside in an intimidatory manner

. mike freer, the conservative mp, is now stand down because of a series of incidents over his political career. the most recent of which was his constituency office was set on fire. we also discovered this week that there are three female mps who are having to have, uh, body guards, a level of security which is normally only given to politicians in high office. the home secretary, the defence secretary, etc. and of course, today we have george galloway in parliament. rishi sunak obviously feels very , very obviously feels very, very strongly about this issue . the strongly about this issue. the safety of mps, the integrity of our democracy and those scenes in the house of commons last week brought shame on parliament, really. but there were lots of mps who i spoke to who said mps are only acting in that way because they are so scared about their own safety and about the threat of specifically at the moment, islamic extremist ism. so it sounds as though that is what

rishi sunak will be talking about at 530. but of course we'll have to wait and see. okay olivia, thank you very much . olivia, thank you very much. >> isn't it funny how they go for a speech about, if that's what it's about, a for a speech about, if that's what it's about , a speech about what it's about, a speech about the mob on the streets. when lee anderson mentioned that exactly a week ago on this show, he was kicked out the party. suella braverman has mentioned this before. she was also she lost herjob as a minister over this. and only when the mob go knocking on the door of parliament and harangue mps. so they seem to find lilly. wake up. well, look, we look forward to statement bated to that statement with bated breath let's finally, if breath. let's see finally, if they're going to clamp down on they're going to clamp down on the was out there last the mob. i was out there last wednesday. police had no wednesday. the police had no interest whatsoever in taking control of the situation . those control of the situation. those images were projected onto big ben. they simply stood by the man in balaclavas discussed seeing images, disgusting slogans . the police simply did slogans. the police simply did nothing. so let's see if they're going to change their tune at

last. that's at 530, of course , last. that's at 530, of course, we'll have that live now. a man has been jailed for two years after counter—terror police arrested him for running on and onune arrested him for running on and online library of anti immigration stickers. it's been described as an assault on free speech. i'm martin daubney on gb news, britain's news channel .

welcome back. it's 449. you're watching or listening to martin daubney on gbh news now a reminder of the news we broke a short while ago. this hour. reminder of the news we broke a short while ago. this hour . and short while ago. this hour. and that's this. the prime minister rishi sunak, will make a statement at downing street today, just after 5:30 pm. the rumour mill already in overdrive . and we will, of course, bring you that live here on gb news

now, a far right activist has been jailed for two years after counter—terror police arrested him for running an online library of anti immigration stickers . sam melia was stickers. sam melia was convicted last month of inciting racial hatred and was also found guilty of encouraging racially aggravated criminal damage . but aggravated criminal damage. but the jailing has raised freedom of expression. concerns with one free speech activist telling gb news that this is a chilling display . asian well, here to go display. asian well, here to go over this now is we're joined by gb news reporter charlie peters prison for stickers. what's going on? >> jolly well sam, nearly 34, has been jailed today for two years at leeds crown court following a conviction at the end of january for stirring up racial hatred and racially aggravated criminal damage to extremely significant charges that come after he was found to

run an online library of stickers, which he called for members of his group, the hundred hands , to print out and hundred hands, to print out and stick around their local community cities. now, the prosecution said that this was designed to spread hate, in particular anti—migration and anti—semitic hatred . anti—semitic hatred. >> but his defence said that this was an attack on his political opinions . there's been political opinions. there's been all sorts of controversy as you'll know, martin, with free speech issues in recent years, particularly surrounding the pubuc particularly surrounding the public order act and the communications act around the terms grossly offensive and the stirring up clauses in those acts. but some activists are saying that this most recent conviction and now jailing of two years is another step towards that authority . korean towards that authority. korean measure. they do point to the fact that this is, you know, technically a crime without harm. these are stickers , as harm. these are stickers, as they say, and that's why we've heard from free speech activist

fraser myers , the deputy editor fraser myers, the deputy editor of spiked online, who said that this an utterly chilling this was an utterly chilling decision. he said that many violent criminals been violent criminals have been punished with far less severity and ferocity he than he has for the crime of producing stickers . the crime of producing stickers. they said things like they seek conquest, not asylum , and we conquest, not asylum, and we will be a minority in our homeland by 2066, some of the supporters of mr melia are now understood to be running a funding campaign to support him and his family while he's away in prison for two years. but certainly a very strong reaction from free speech activists over this jailing of two years for running. what the prosecution say was a racially hateful sticker collection . sticker collection. >> charlie peters, what do you say to that? i mean, you know , say to that? i mean, you know, jail for stickers. and yet we see week after week after week on london streets , anti—semitic on london streets, anti—semitic placards , people calling for

placards, people calling for jihad, um, shouting of things like gas, the jews , disgusting like gas, the jews, disgusting images projected onto big ben, not a finger lifted. no one ever seems to get their call out for that. this guy might be a bit of a prat, you know. not the cleverest thing to do. but two years chokey for a bunch of stickers. charlie peters , thank stickers. charlie peters, thank you very much for joining us. excellent as ever . ah, right. excellent as ever. ah, right. let's get a few, uh, emails you've been sending them in in your drafts and it's all about the rochdale by—election dan says this . it's the rise in says this. it's the rise in postal voting that must be addressed with urgency before the general election. in fact, the general election. in fact, the reform party claimed the postal vote in rochdale leapt from 14,000 to 23,000. we often hean from 14,000 to 23,000. we often hear, don't we, in these types of elections, that the postal vote seems to be heavily weighted. is it time to overhaul that ? totally another one saying that? totally another one saying that? totally another one saying that it's claire, claire says. i'd be interested to know how many of the votes for george

galloway were those so—called postal votes? and anthony adds this catherine martin, this is a terrible result for democracy, with opponents denied the opportunity to put their views forward and allegations of intimidation . forward and allegations of intimidation. i'd have forward and allegations of intimidation . i'd have thought intimidation. i'd have thought for several years that the country is heading towards a civil war. of course, there were only allegations of intimidation. galloway has denied them and paul again adds this point . you have to stop this point. you have to stop postal voting. it has been alleged that certain people use double ident . sometimes that's double ident. sometimes that's just an allegation. of course , just an allegation. of course, and they use the parents and grandparents have voting privileges, even if they have moved abroad without telling the authorities. now then, a reminder of that news we brought you earlier this hour. the prime minister will make a statement at downing street just after 530. we will, of course, bring you that live here on gb. news will it be about mp security ? will it be about mp security? will it be something more dramatic? we'll have the full

coverage here. i'm martin daubney on gb news a brighter outlook with boxt solar sponsors of weather on . gb news. of weather on. gb news. >> hello there! >> hello there! >> welcome to your latest gb news weather update with me, annie from the met office. the rest of the day will remain cold wherever you are. there's a further of rain showers and further risk of rain showers and some hill snow. we've low some hill snow. we've got low pressure charge . that's pressure still in charge. that's got cold air wrapped around it as well, as well as these occluded fronts. and that's where for most where the focus for the most persistent continue to persistent rain will continue to be. area will push into be. that area will push into more southern areas of scotland through then through this evening. and then into scotland later on into northern scotland later on tonight could see snow tonight so we could see snow falling above around 150 to 200m further south. it should stay dner further south. it should stay drier for a time. this evening, but overnight this more persistent area of rain will push to in the south coast and then up towards the midlands. that brings risk snow to that brings a risk of snow to some lower levels by tomorrow morning will be a cold morning, so it will be a cold start to the weekend wherever

you will remain you are, and it will remain quite overcast and wet through you are, and it will remain quite ofzrcast and wet through you are, and it will remain quite of the ;t and wet through you are, and it will remain quite of the dayd wet through you are, and it will remain quite of the day. forzt through you are, and it will remain quite of the day. for centralgh much of the day. for central areas of england, as well as northern areas of england. later on. mid—morning further on. but by mid—morning further south west, we'll see a mix south and west, we'll see a mix of sunshine and showers. but those showers bring a risk of heavy downpours, as well as some hail further hill snow. so hail and further hill snow. so another quite unsettled and cold feeling day to come through tomorrow, sunday will is looking a much drier. on the whole. there's still a of showers, there's still a risk of showers, particularly across the south as well as the far north, but many areas see a much drier areas should see a much drier day greater chance of day with a greater chance of some and it won't feel some sunshine, and it won't feel too bad in the sunshine. we are now in to meteorological spring, but is some further rain but there is some further rain to the southwest later to move into the southwest later on. monday. bye . on. on monday. bye bye. >> looks like things are heating up boxt boilers sponsors of weather on .

gb news. >> good afternoon . it's 5 pm. a >> good afternoon. it's 5 pm. a very happy friday afternoon to you. welcome to the martin dalby show on gb news broadcasting live from the heart of westminster all across the uk . westminster all across the uk. now today, the prime minister will make a statement at downing street just after 5:30 pm. we will, of course, bring you that live here, here on gb news. lots of special nation about what it's going to contain. will it be about the mp security risk? will it be something more dramatic, like a call for a general election? perhaps we'll have that full live story here just after . have that full live story here just after. 5:30 pm. and of course, i want to hear from you. email me at your views gbviews@gbnews.com. get in touch on that. plus that shocking by—election victory for george galloway last night. will sectarian politics divide the country ? we will rishi sunak country? we will rishi sunak

finally address what he said yesterday . is the mob finally address what he said yesterday. is the mob taking over on british streets before it takes over in british politics? that's coming up. but first, it's time for your latest news headlines with tatiana sanchez. >> martin, thank you and good afternoon. 5:01. these are your top stories from the gb newsroom. and as you've just been hearing, just now, the prime minister is due to make a statement at downing street just after 530 this afternoon. that's around half an hour's time. we will, of course, bring you that live gb. news well, the live here on gb. news well, the prime minister says he campaigned in rochdale , was one campaigned in rochdale, was one of the most divisive in recent times after last night's by—election win by george galloway , the uk's leading galloway, the uk's leading jewish organisation, has described the workers party leader as a conspiracy theorist who brings division and hate to every place he's ever stood for parliament. during his career,

galloway has also presented programmes for both the russian and iranian state broadcasters . and iranian state broadcasters. labour leader sir keir starmer says he'll stoke fear and division . division. >> galloway won only because labour didn't stand a candidate. i regret that we had to withdraw our candidate and apologise to voters in rochdale , but i took voters in rochdale, but i took that decision . it was the right that decision. it was the right decision and when i say i changed the labour party, i mean it . obviously we will put it. obviously we will put a first class candidate, a unifier before the voters in rochdale at the general election , a 42 year the general election, a 42 year old woman who was arrested on suspicion of murdering three siblings in bristol, has been detained under the mental health act. >> it comes after the bodies of farris bash, aged seven, jerry bash , who was three, and nine, bash, who was three, and nine, nine month old mohammed bash, were found in sea mills on the 18th of february. the women's receiving treatment in hospital for physical injuries which are not life threatening . now the

not life threatening. now the cost of the government's rwanda scheme could soar to half £1 billion, plus hundreds of thousands more for each migrant sent there. an investigation by the public spending watchdog found. the millions in additional spending includes £11,000 for each migrant plane ticket . there will also be an ticket. there will also be an extra £20,000 paid to rwanda for every asylum seeker who's relocated , with more than relocated, with more than 150,000 per person to cover ongoing costs. the prime minister says the plan is vital to clamping down on illegal migration. >> taxpayers are already forking out millions of pounds a day to house illegal migrants in hotels across the country. that's not right , and across the country. that's not right, and that's why i made stopping the boats one of my priorities. i'm pleased that we've made progress. last year, the numbers were down by a third. it never happened before. shows plans are shows that the plans are working, but in order to fully resolve this issue, we need to have deterrent. we need to be have a deterrent. we need to be able if you come here able to say, if you come here illegally , you be able to illegally, you won't be able to stay. we can remove you to a

safe country. that's why the rwanda is so important. rwanda scheme is so important. it's the worthwhile investment and see through. >> the son in law of prince michael of kent died from a traumatic that's traumatic head wound. that's according inquest . thomas according to an inquest. thomas kingston visiting his kingston was visiting his parents home in the cotswolds, where he later dead in where he was later found dead in an outbuilding by emergency services on the 25th of february. gloucestershire coroner's court heard that a gun was recovered from the scene, but police say they are satisfied the death isn't suspicious . three people have suspicious. three people have been jailed for life for the murder of a vulnerable woman who was tortured to death, the court heard that 35 year old shakira spencer was found dead in west london in 2022, after the trio treated her like a slave before killing her. ashana studholme , killing her. ashana studholme, sean pendlebury and lisa richardson have each been ordered to serve a minimum time of 34 years. now, the cost of a postage stamp is going up as royal mail raises prices yet again amid a dramatic drop in

demand , first class stamps will demand, first class stamps will rise by £0.10 to £1.35, while second class are also going up by the same amount to £0.85 per stamp. a year ago, a first class stamp. a year ago, a first class stamp cost just £0.95. the increase comes after warnings by the troubled delivery giant over the troubled delivery giant over the impact of lower demand for postage, which it says is pushing up costs. postage, which it says is pushing up costs . and the uk's pushing up costs. and the uk's eurovision entry has dropped. >> won't you make me dizzy for all your kisses with you? >> take my hand and spin me round and round. until the moment olly alexander has launched his brand new single dizzee ahead of this year's song contest , due to take place in contest, due to take place in sweden in may, the 33 year old singer has already enjoyed success with his former bandmates in years and years, scoring a combined five top ten uk singles and two number one albums for the latest stories,

you can sign up to gb news alerts by scanning the qr code on your screen. >> or you can go to gb news. com slash alerts now it's back to . martin. >> thank you tatiana. now we start with that big breaking news story and rishi sunak will make a statement at downing street shortly after half past five today. live outside downing street. and of course, let's now speak to our political correspondent olivia utley , correspondent olivia utley, who's in the studio. olivia huge speculation about what this may be. what do we know ? be. what do we know? >> well, we understand it's not going to be a general election . going to be a general election. one um, that's what the original thought was. unsurprisingly calling a press conference at 20 to 6 on a friday evening is pretty unusual. it took everyone by surprise and, of course, take six weeks between calling a general election and holding that election. and it is six weeks until the 2nd of may, which is when the local

elections are, if you take out recess. so that was that was the first rumour. but no, what first big rumour. but no, what it's going to be. well, what it sounds it's to be is sounds like it's going to be is a about protecting a speech about protecting democracy obviously, last democracy. obviously, the last few have been very, very few weeks have been very, very toxic in british politics. we've had news that, uh, tobias ellwood, a conservative mp, his house was surrounded by pro—palestinian protesters aiming to intimidate him and his wife and children who were in the house at the time. we've had news that mike freer, another conservative mp, is standing down after a series of, uh, close near misses , essentially close near misses, essentially the last of which was his constituency office burning down. then we had news that three female mps in parliament from different parties are now being given close protection, something that's normally only offered to the home secretary and defence secretary because of the threat of extremism in parliament. then of course, most recently we had those awful scenes in parliament where difficult to get exactly to the bottom of what happened. but

what it sounds like is keir starmer went to lindsay hoyle and said , please, can you call and said, please, can you call our motion in parliament today on a gaza ceasefire? because if you don't , then some of my mps you don't, then some of my mps are under risk of attack back by their constituent or neighbouring constituents for not voting for a ceasefire in gaza. hoyle gave in to keir starmer, broke all precedent to give in to keir starmer , give in to keir starmer, presumably because he believed that that threat was very real. now we've had rishi sunak saying that the mobs are taking over the street and of course today , the street and of course today, the street and of course today, the first day of george galloway, the well known, infamous really, uh, mp , infamous really, uh, mp, anti—semite , uh, a man who is anti—semite, uh, a man who is known for dividing people wherever he stands. so it sounds like rishi sunak is keen to make this speech to show that he cares very deeply about the threat of sort of sectarianism in british politics and the threat of safety to

parliamentarians. he wants to make sure that democracy is protected . let's hope we'll hear protected. let's hope we'll hear a little more detail about how he plans to do that . he plans to do that. >> well, olivia, a lot of people will be saying, what took you so long? and a lot of people will also be saying, uh, you only seem to take action when this trouble came to your own door, not to not to undervalue that, but what i'm saying is this, this has been out of this has been totally out of control since october control now since october 7 onwards. matt massive spikes in anti—semitism , disgusting anti—semitism, disgusting reports of people too afraid to walk the streets, jewish children to too afraid to display the insignia of their jewish schools on their blazers. people saying they feel afraid to walk. certain parts of our major cities, people leaving the country, mps to be fair, of all the major parties harangued. sir keir starmer was harangued in scotland off a train. angela rayner while campaigning rachel reeves anneliese dodds . they've

reeves anneliese dodds. they've all had hassle, of course , mike all had hassle, of course, mike freer and now it's got to the point where they feel they have to take action. but my question to take action. but my question to you, olivia, is how much of them sitting on their hands and them sitting on their hands and the cats having their tongues for so long has made this situation get this inflamed point where they have now to take action? >> well, i think that's a really interesting question. i mean, i think that rishi and the think that rishi sunak and the government probably argue government will probably argue that trying . i that they've been trying. i mean, rishi sunak reminded police of their powers last week to cut down on emissions, intimidate or potentially violent protests . they haven't violent protests. they haven't been doing it. when she was in power as well, reminded the met commissioner that he did have the power to stop those, uh, those those march is going ahead. those pro—palestinian marches going ahead at the weekend . there is an argument weekend. there is an argument thatis weekend. there is an argument that is the met police rather than the government, who have sort of allowed these these marches, if you like, to perhaps get a bit out of hand. that might be what what the

government would say behind closed doors. i mean, as you say, i mean, what is rishi sunak going to do? it's all very well, sort of hand—wringing about this. we've seen that already . this. we've seen that already. he's already said there's a danger of the controlling danger of the mob controlling the streets. he can't really just stand in front of downing street and say that again, he's got to match his words with some sort of action. presumably that's what he's going to do, because journalists to because calling journalists to downing street at 20 to 6 on a friday for no reason at all is not likely to get him good headunesin not likely to get him good headlines in the papers tomorrow. >> okay, ollie, stick >> okay, olivia, ollie, stick with i'm crossing now. with us. but i'm crossing now. live to downing street, where we're by gb news we're joined by gb news political chris hope. political editor chris hope. chris, a chris, dramatic stuff. late on a friday afternoon. we've been saying, chris, on this show for well a week now. the mob well over a week now. the mob seems to be taking control. do you think this is what rishi sunak finally going to sunak is finally going to address? this >> i think the pm clearly by his remarks earlier, martin and haley were he's clearly concerned about the election by—election overnight where i was in in rochdale and i've

discharged from the wetherspoons in rochdale to number 10 downing street. that's life of a journalist nowadays for gb news. but it's good to be here. it's about to pour rain very about to pour with rain very heavily. he clearly is . he heavily. he clearly is. he couldn't act until the people of rochdale have spoken. they've elected george galloway, of course he's got issues for many people in the jewish community and we'll see that played out next week. he clearly thinks now there's a line in the sand to be drawn the issue of extremism. drawn on the issue of extremism. we saw him set out £31 million earlier this week, and a plan to keep mps safe and prospective candidates with the beginning of a long election cycle running into probably the november election. um, we don't expect him to call the election right now. i think he wants to set the tone right and make clear that any kind of extremism, any kind of bullying, intimidation of people for office for people running for office for pubuc people running for office for public will not be public life will not be tolerated. that's the tolerated. i think that's the direction of travel we're going to shortly. i'm not not to see shortly. but i'm not not sure yet. we're getting no indication from downing street, but by mood but judging by the mood music coming said

coming out from what he said earlier scotland his visit earlier in scotland on his visit there the to the tory there to the to the tory conference, that's probably where it's going. >> astonishing, >> is it astonishing, though, chris, literally week ago chris, how literally a week ago to minute when we were to the minute when we were speaking with anderson , um, speaking with lee anderson, um, in usual fourth in his usual fourth right manner, shall we say, he spoke out about this precise issue. and for doing that , he had and yet for doing that, he had the whip suspended from him. chris. and previous to that , chris. and previous to that, suella about suella braverman spoke about this , and was punished for this, and she was punished for being too forthright and maybe these people were right . maybe these people were right. maybe this did need to be spoken about all along. and the situation that we were hearing about in rochdale last night of intimidation of bullying at polling stations and of course, the eternal conversation. chris about postal votes , something about postal votes, something has to be done . has to be done. >> yeah. and we're not sure what it is yet. again, we don't know what he's going to announce at 545 outside 10 downing street. stay tuned to gb news. you'll see every every cough and spit for the prime minister makes. then we'll be analysing it for you through the early evening.

we what he's going to we don't know what he's going to say yet, but it seems to me a line was crossed last week, wasn't it, the speaker wasn't it, when the speaker stepped allow labour mps stepped in to allow labour mps to vote on its policy, party to vote on its policy, its party policy any to policy on gaza, to avoid any to recognise the pressure they're under locally and not make it any worse for that was the any worse for them. that was the moment the government said, moment that the government said, well, is enough. we're well, enough is enough. we're going giving going to start. we're giving bodyguards to people under under threat. you'll have a 48 hours nofice threat. you'll have a 48 hours notice of any any demonstration, any attempt to go to near your home. it will be seen as intimidation in the law and punishable by the police and prosecuted by through the courts. lots of measures, i think. but last night's election almost caps what has been a very difficult for our mps over difficult time for our mps over the past 3 or 4 weeks, and i wonder whether that's where the pm will be going when you speak to us shortly. >> but are they finally to us shortly. >> blto are they finally to us shortly. >> blto get are they finally to us shortly. >> blto get thee they finally to us shortly. >> blto get the head' finally to us shortly. >> blto get the head outally to us shortly. >> blto get the head out of/ to us shortly. >> blto get the head out of the going to get the head out of the sand and address the elephant in the room? chris all of these events are linked to one thing. since october 7, the islamism in the country is getting to be a

serious issue. and as i said again, chris, every time it's brought up by somebody, they seem to be chastised or they seem to be chastised or they seem to be smacked down on. can we finally see the prime minister grasping the nettle and having the guts and the courage to face this . down? to face this. down? >> there's a balance all the time in politics and in policing . you've got to allow a degree of peaceful, lawful protest march. and it's the people around the edges that we've seen in those weekly demonstrations on the streets of london, which have caused such a such upset. he has been calling that out. and truth is, there lore and the truth is, there is lore out there that isn't being appued out there that isn't being applied the police . you see, applied by the police. you see, you saw for yourself, martin, last wednesday when the police were to stop were not intervening to stop that language displayed that hateful language displayed on the elizabeth tower housing big about israel and the big ben about israel and the jewish community. the laws are out there. have got a of out there. we have got a lot of laws are not being enforced. the laws are not being enforced. the laws stopping wearing laws stopping people wearing masks may be a masks in marches. it may be a kind of enough is enough speech

from the prime minister again , from the prime minister again, no questions. he'll be speaking from from the steps. but this is very rare. i can't think when he last did this. i've been racking my brains probably about two years um. so we don't years ago. so, um. so we don't think it's anything. well, we think it's anything. well, we think to be dramatic think it's going to be dramatic because it's friday because it is. it's friday night, before a budget next night, um, before a budget next week. um , stay tuned. week. but, um, stay tuned. >> but , week. but, um, stay tuned. >> but, chris, i'm just i know we're speculating here, but we know the direction of travel. what this is going to about. what this is going to be about. words aren't are they ? words aren't enough, are they? it's okay to spend £31 million on mp security . when we talked on mp security. when we talked about this, a couple of a couple of days ago, chris in the studio, as you know, we put this to gb news viewers. we had hundreds and hundreds, about 600 emails an hour , people emails within an hour, people saying this is the situation that's been created by inaction . that's been created by inaction. jvt it's been a situation. chris noted, by standing off by soft soaping, by failing to grasp the nettle, by not having the courage of the convictions to face it down and into that vacuum. we've had chaos. chaos

fills, vacuums . it's the law of fills, vacuums. it's the law of physics. what can be done? i mean, words are one thing. they have , as you say, chris. they've have, as you say, chris. they've got the bills. but what about the to will enforce it ? the to will enforce it? >> i think that's the frustration. we had the pm calling in regional police chiefs of england and wales two nights ago when he laid down the law, he issued that new protocol. we discussed on the show yesterday , making clear show yesterday, making clear what is expected of police. you've seen money set aside the right to bodyguards . you've seen money set aside the right to bodyguards. fair warning of any protests . he's warning of any protests. he's doing all he can short of actually taking over policing now, lee anderson said on air last friday. why can't the government step in and do the policing themselves? well, we don't in this country, don't do that in this country, don't do that in this country, do we? have are made by do we? we have laws are made by mps governments and police mps and governments and police enforce the i think this enforce the laws. i think this is change in tone from the is a change in tone from the prime minister. clearly he's been by what saw been upset by what he saw overnight is now overnight in rochdale is now starting affect them. people, starting to affect them. people, maybe people voting maybe even people. people voting behaviour, although we don't know because

know that for sure because of course that course labour withdrew from that contest overnight, didn't they ? contest overnight, didn't they? and didn't their and didn't support their candidate after the ballot papers printed. so it's papers were printed. so it's hard judge, but certainly hard to judge, but certainly there's lot of concern behind there's a lot of concern behind me that what changing the me that what is changing the democratic fabric of this place , democratic fabric of this place, that elects mps, that got him into office is under threat, and i wonder whether that's where the pm's going shortly. >> and chris, on on the matter of rochdale, you were on the ground. you're up there, you're in the thick of it. what kind of rumours, allegations and stories were you hearing about the febrile , ugly nature of this febrile, ugly nature of this particular by—election in? >> well, we have we heard from the candidates alone from simon danczuk saying that he had threats. um uh, others lots of mud being thrown around it was, you know, we are where we are. we have got an mp for rochdale. uh, george galloway. he is due to take his seat next week in parliament. i wonder whether this statement is looking into next almost because george next week. almost because george galloway where sits. who? he galloway, where he sits. who? he who accompany him. um, lots of

jewish mps will be upset and worried about him being on the green benches. the board of british deputies has said that they mps should turn they should. mps should turn their backs and not talk to him because remarks because of his previous remarks about israel and the jewish community. so i think we are approaching a very difficult time parliament and maybe time in parliament and maybe this is pm drawing a line this is the pm drawing a line saying enough enough. um, saying enough is enough. um, it's saying enough is enough. um, wsfime saying enough is enough. um, it's time that we, we, we re—embrace with those british values of tolerance and decency, recognising that, of course, the gaza conflict is extremely divisive for so many communities , and the british government is doing all it can get those doing all it can to get those hostages freed and ensure that peace to prevail over there. >> okay, chris hope, live from downing street. thank you very much. course we'll let you go much. of course we'll let you go now go get a few now to go and get a few a position on the front row and we'll back to for we'll be coming back to you for reaction. of course, after that statement that was chris hope live to live at downing street, back to the studio where i'm still joined by olivia utley. so it seems now the direction of travel this going seems now the direction of tra be this going seems now the direction of trabe about this going seems now the direction of trabe about that1is going seems now the direction of tra be about that security ng

seems now the direction of tra be about that security issue, to be about that security issue, the breakdown of democracy and chris intimating there this looking ahead , george galloway looking ahead, george galloway will be sacked in the house of commons. he'll be sat with jewish members of parliament who will be absolutely horrified that this is happening. it that this is happening. but it is the people have spoken in this extraordinary by—election, olivia and all of this just starts to send out the message of british politics has become so incredibly toxic . so incredibly toxic. >> it does feel as though british politics has become very toxic and really quite suddenly , toxic and really quite suddenly, george galloway's election was wasn't predicted. when this by—election was called, it was thought that labour would easily win. of course, labour's campaign ended up imploding and the canada that was supposed to stand for labour had to stand as an independent of an independent pendant. um, of course , the tension has been course, the tension has been building pretty much ever since october the 7th, when those pro—palestine marches began in london and then spread across the rest of the uk . and we've the rest of the uk. and we've heard some awful stories about mps being intimidated . and mps being intimidated. and

speaker hoyle is clearly taking the threat to mps very, very seriously . it'll be fascinating seriously. it'll be fascinating to see what action rishi sunak is going to put behind his words. it's all very well saying that the mobs are ruling the streets, but his party has been in power for 13 years. what is he planning to do about it ? he planning to do about it? obviously it's a bad moment for british politics to get very toxic. we are in a general election year already. we have a particular sort of open representative democracy. mps are on the streets of england and wales, scotland, northern ireland. they have their surgeries on fridays where anyone from their constituency can come up to them in person and talk to them about any issue . we've seen two mps murdered in .we've seen two mps murdered in the past eight years and in a general election year, mps are more visible than ever. the idea that there are people who wish them harm, who could just come up to them in the street is very alarming indeed. and something that everyone at the top of politics is clearly taking very,

very seriously . very seriously. >> yeah, yet we covered a >> yeah, and yet we covered a story about a far story a moment ago about a far right activist who's been jailed for racist stickers . and yet for racist stickers. and yet we've seen since october the 7th a spectacular failure, i believe, from the metropolitan police to clamp down on these weekly marches . we've seen weekly marches. we've seen disgusting placards , disgusting disgusting placards, disgusting images projected onto big ben. the police literally stood by and did nothing . i went into and did nothing. i went into that crowd last wednesday, olivia and i pointed out to the coppers there, there's the projector. there it is . go and projector. there it is. go and take it down. what are you going to do? and they simply stood by and did nothing . they had no and did nothing. they had no interest whatsoever. we've seen protesters clambering all over wall memorials, causing deep upset and offence to the british electorate and the public watching , saying we've seen no watching, saying we've seen no real appetite to protect our heritage , our statues. what's heritage, our statues. what's sacred. and then they only seem to have reacted when the mob

formed outside parliament. a lot of people will be thinking, why weren't these statements given when the batley grammar school teacher hiding when the batley grammar school teach years hiding when the batley grammar school teach years ago? hiding when the batley grammar school teach years ago? next hiding when the batley grammar school teach years ago? next friday? three years ago? next friday? that's going to be three years. nobody stuck up for that teacher. the police have turned a blind eye. the mp turned a blind eye. now the school union turned a blind eye. grooming gangs. turned a blind eye. grooming gangs . all this stuff has been gangs. all this stuff has been going on for years. but look, finally, we may be at a point. the big question is, what kind of powers can rishi sunak have we heard there from chris hope? regional and crime regional police and crime commissioners, police chiefs brought to downing street? maybe they'll to the provinces brought to downing street? maybe they do to the provinces brought to downing street? maybe they do things to the provinces brought to downing street? maybe they do things differently yvinces brought to downing street? maybe they do things differently .'inces brought to downing street? maybe theydo things differently . buts and do things differently. but the big question is london, the metropolitan police and the police and crime commissioner in london is sadiq khan , and we london is sadiq khan, and we seem to have this this , this seem to have this this, this standoff , who's seem to have this this, this standoff, who's in seem to have this this, this standoff , who's in control, standoff, who's in control, who's going to take action. and i guess today, will the prime minister show that he's in control? >> well, i think one issue that

the government would probably point to is that actually the police have a lot of the powers that you're talking about. the police do have the power to shut down these pro—palestine marches if they are thought to be too intimidatory, if they're thought to be slipping into a sort of hate speech, etc. but more often than not, they they don't seem to use them. and this has been an issue that tension between the government and particularly the government and particularly the metropolitan police for quite a long time now, suella braverman has talked about, you know, when she know, one rule. when she was home one home secretary talked about one rule another rule for rule for them, another rule for the rest of us. and and, you know, you can see if you head into london on a protest day, the different ways that different of protesters different groups of protesters are . and i different groups of protesters are .and i remember are treated. and i remember being in whitehall watching a just stop oil uh, uh, campaign . just stop oil uh, uh, campaign. they were crowding the streets. they were crowding the streets. they were crowding the streets. they were stopping cars passing through one of the busiest areas of london. they were lying down in the middle the road, slow in the middle of the road, slow walking, etc. all are walking, etc. all of which are now illegal under a new government law. a law that the

government law. a law that the government brought in to stop exactly that. but what the police were doing was picking them taking them to the them up, taking them over to the side the pavement, lying them side of the pavement, lying them on the street pushing on the street and pushing pillows heads. pillows onto their heads. something which, there something which, you know, there are plenty of mps thought that that was not a particularly appropriate way for the metropolitan police to behave . metropolitan police to behave. so i think what the government might say to your argument is that laws are place. the that the laws are in place. the problem , perhaps, is that the problem, perhaps, is that the police force aren't particularly willing to use the powers that they've already got in which case is there much point in the government trying to create a whole load of new powers and layering laws on top of laws? the met police, of course, would say, this is absolutely say, and this is absolutely true, right we do true, quite right that we do have this country a right to have in this country a right to protest. theirjob to make protest. theirjob is to make sure that those are sure that those protests are peaceful. they would say that they've everything can they've done everything they can and actually, if you point to actual incidents over actual violence incidents over those pro—palestinian marches, it's difficult . but i it's pretty difficult. but i think that's the real problem for there any for the government. is there any point in more laws? is point bringing in more laws? is

a laws really the a lack of laws really the problem is it a lack of problem here, or is it a lack of willingness to enforce those laws? >> excellent point, olivia utley as ever, that's what we've been saying weeks and weeks. and saying for weeks and weeks. and weeks on here. they've got the bill, have they got the will bill, but have they got the will to it, or are they to enforce it, or are they just going to standing off? going to keep standing off? well, i'm joined now by nigel nelson, to give us nelson, who joins us to give us his take. nigel, welcome to the show . so a dramatic end of week show. so a dramatic end of week moment. these aren't done lightly. there's normally big news coming out of them it seems nigel, that all the direction of travel, the information we're hearing. a major hearing. this will be a major announcement about political toxicity . what's toxicity and security. what's your take? >> well, i rather depends on what the prime minister is going to announce that it's obviously taken us all by surprise. um, i mean, the danger obviously , is mean, the danger obviously, is if the idea is to ban protests that that that can actually drive it underground, and then you get violence taking over. now, what we don't know , though, now, what we don't know, though, is what kind of intelligence the prime minister has received. he

may give us some indication of that when he appears outside downing street, but if he has received intelligence that there's something more serious going on, then of course , as going on, then of course, as prime minister, it's his duty to act and in terms of the greater backdrop, nigel, the, the kind of breakdown for respect for law and order, particularly since october the 7th, we've seen just the mob getting away with it . the mob getting away with it. >> um, just clambering on wall memorials, pelting people with eggs, as happened to me , those eggs, as happened to me, those revolting placards beaming messages onto big band. like i say, i was in there saying to the police, there's a projector, take it down. these nations are shaming our country. they are being beamed around the world. it sends out a clear message that jewish people are not welcome on british streets. we've seen a huge boom in anti—semitic hate crimes. every single time these marches happen

, nigel. and yet the police have simply stood by. but now they're acting. are they only acting, do you think, nigel? because this ended up being outside their front door. >> well, i mean, that may have something to do with it. i think it's more question of what kind of danger the, um, the people behind these protests are actually pose. now, you're obviously in the thick of it. last wednesday and you saw the police not actually taking action. martin um, i mean, usually the only reason that you don't do that is if you actually, if you risk making things worse, the police are operationally independent, as we know . so what they've got to know. so what they've got to balance is whether or not by arresting somebody, they will then increase the risk to public safety. so so, um, as you and i will both know from our reporting days , when you go out reporting days, when you go out and cover a demonstration, it can, it can with just one small incident, suddenly erupt into a

riot and obviously then lives are at risk . and these things are at risk. and these things start as quickly as a pub brawl. now you'll you'll know whether or not that was actually a risk . or not that was actually a risk. uh, a risk last wednesday when you got pelted by eggs. but quite clearly, if it wasn't a risk, the police should have acted . acted. >> yeah, and that's the problem, isn't it? i mean, we've had this conversation now, nigel. every single week since october 7th, there is a very, very real feeling that we have two tiered policing at armistice day . i was policing at armistice day. i was also there for the two minute silence and it got very, very fruity, shall we say , around fruity, shall we say, around there. later on, the police had no problem whatsoever in steaming into people there from the veteran side, from the patriot side. and yet later on, when the pro—palestinian protesters came in, they just formed a barrier and did nothing. when it kicked off at trafalgar square, they simply watched. there seems to be a different type of policing, and thatis different type of policing, and that is it's a more confrontational type. if you're

a counter protester and it's a stand back and watch and surveillance base and then act afterwards. but nigel, it just leaves a taste in the mouth. we have two tiered policing and that creates a vacuum and it's self—perpetuating thing. >> well, again , it depends on >> well, again, it depends on what is actually happening on the ground. as far as the police are concerned. so the one thing that they do try and do is that they try and contain on protests, they try and contain it. if any kind of violence breaks out. and again , i mean, a breaks out. and again, i mean, a police chief must be free to make that decision very quickly on the ground as he or she sees fit. so so, um, my feeling about the palestinian demonstrations is , yes, there are there has is, yes, there are there has been some law breaking. uh, there have been some anti—semitic slogans where the police have actually moved in and, and dealt with that. but again , they must actually judge again, they must actually judge each situation on its merits and make sure that it doesn't result

in something worse than what you're actually facing. and in fairness, for the most part , fairness, for the most part, those palestinian protests have been have been peaceful . i know been have been peaceful. i know they all, not all of them, have . they all, not all of them, have. i know that we've had we've had fireworks being let off and things like that . um, but as things like that. um, but as i say, that is to down the police at on that moment to decide what is best. they may not be getting the balance right. >> yeah. i mean, we saw today, nigel a man, an idiot, a prat has been jailed for putting around racist stickers. he's been jailed for two years for distributing stickers. and yet we've seen people in those marches in london dressed as hamas terrorists. we've seen calls for jihad. we've hamas terrorists. we've seen calls forjihad. we've seen calls for jihad. we've seen hamas wear, you know, outfits being worn. we've seen people calling for the gassing of jews . calling for the gassing of jews. we've seen repeated disgusting crimes. and we saw those young

women with those paraglider images on their clothing . they images on their clothing. they were spared jail. they were spared jail by a judge. it turns out, who'd liked a post showing his clear political bias towards the cause . and so there is the cause. and so there is a very, very real feeling, nigel, that we don't have police that are acting without fear or favour. they seem to be acting with favour towards one side and very much acting in fear of them i >> -- >> yeah, i mean, i think that some of those incidents you've mentioned that they, they clearly warranted , uh, arrest clearly warranted, uh, arrest and prosecution , any kind of and prosecution, any kind of support for hamas or any other terrorist organisation is illegal. and that's the that's the point where the police must intervene. i think in other areas it becomes a bit more of a problem. from the river to the sea slogan isn't actually anti—semitic in itself. it depends on the interpretation you put on that and the way the police have tackled that is to say, if it's chanted on a

protest that's one thing. if it's chanted outside a synagogue or a jewish school , that then or a jewish school, that then becomes anti semitism and they will move in. so it does depend on it depends on circumstances , on it depends on circumstances, context and interpretation . context and interpretation. >> okay, so, so for example, last wednesday , from the river last wednesday, from the river to the sea, um, a phrase which by the way, a lot of people do take to mean, um, calling for the sweeping aside of the entire jewish nation, for the removal of jewish people from israel, for israel to be swept literally into the sea. that's one interpretation. and that being beamed onto big ben, you know, which in itself is an offence . which in itself is an offence. parliament isn't a billboard. you need a license to do that. you need a license to do that. you need a license to do that. you need permission. it's a clear breach of the rules. and yet, as i keep saying, nothing was done. it was simply allowed to go on for well over one hour. it sends out a clear message that this is permissible. this is acceptable. and every time

you send that message out, nigel, the mob is emboldened . nigel, the mob is emboldened. >> yes. i mean, beaming images on onto parliament is actually illegal, as you say, unless there is permission for it when it comes to that particular slogan that you're referring to, there are different interpretations , but it was interpretations, but it was a slogan that was coined by the palestinian liberation organisation back in the 1960s and later adopted by hamas . but and later adopted by hamas. but i've spoken to palestinian politicians on the west bank about that very thing. and they have a different interpretation from the one about sweeping all jews into the sea. what they're what they're saying is what it stands for is how you link gaza on one side of israel with the west bank on the other. that's from the river, the river jordan , uh, to the sea. so it does depend who you listen to and how then how then they take such things. so it's not it's not a

simple one for the police to actually deal with and say, right, that's logan is definitely anti—semitic . it is definitely anti—semitic. it is anti—semitic in certain circumstances and to certain people. >> okay, nigel nelson, thank you for your input and for those just joining us, you can see that lectern now being set up outside downing street. we're expecting the prime minister, rishi sunak, to come out within the next ten minutes to issue a highly anticipated statement to the nation late on a friday night. i'm still joined in our studio in westminster by our political correspondent olivia utley olivia for people tuning in late on this friday afternoon, maybe getting back from work or the school run , from work or the school run, give us a recap of where we're at now. >> well, rishi sunak is doing this surprise speech on the steps of downing street. it's been a long time since we've had a steps of downing street speech. we hear that it's not going to sunak calling going to be sunak calling a german election. that was the rumour at the beginning. and actually what he's going to be

doing talking about doing is talking about the toxification of british politics over weeks and over the last few weeks and months, culminating , of course, months, culminating, of course, in election george in the election of george galloway in that rochdale by—election last night. we have had a whole string of incidents ever since, really, october the 7th and the beginning of those pro—palestine which pro—palestine marches which started in london then started in london and then spread around the uk. there are stories of mps from all sides of the house being intimidated , the house being intimidated, being harangued in public and in some cases there are three female mps, for example, who are now having to have a private security. westminster has become a bit of a fire pit when we go outside. when i go outside at lunchtime, there are so often these really quite scary protests on the streets of westminster, of london and of the uk as a whole. westminster, of london and of the uk as a whole . rishi sunak the uk as a whole. rishi sunak has already spoken about this issue. he said that the mobs are taking over the streets, but what we're expecting tonight is for him to put some sort of action, some sort of pledge behind those words as lots of people have commented already,

it's all very well saying that the mobs are ruling the streets, but his party has been in power for years. been prime for 13 years. he's been prime minister year and a half. minister for a year and a half. what is he planning to do about it will announce some sort it? will he announce some sort of new law? will he remind the police again of the powers that they have to enforce which they have to enforce laws which are already there? what is he going to say ? well, we don't going to say? well, we don't have very long to wait at all now. >> superb, olivia. okay, so a glass of water has been set on that lectern there outside downing street. that surely means sunak imminent. means rishi sunak is imminent. but let's quickly but before that, let's quickly cross michelle dewberry , cross now to michelle dewberry, who joins us. of course, dewbs& co coming up six till seven straight after this. no doubt we'll have the full analysis of what we're expecting and this highly anticipated statement from the prime minister. jus what's on your menu . what's on your menu. >> so of course we will have the absolute latest on this rishi sunak speech. we'll be picking up the second that he finishes . up the second that he finishes. christopher hope will be looking

at that with me also as well. i'll be talking to iain duncan smith. i want to talk to mike freer as well. of course, the mp that said he won't run that said that he won't run again because because of intimidation also well, intimidation and also as well, we see on that crest there we can see on that crest there on that lectern, i think now it's looking pretty clear that we not expecting an we are not expecting an announcement election announcement about the election in, um, yeah, i've got professor matt goodwin keeping me company tonight . matt goodwin keeping me company tonight. ella matt goodwin keeping me company tonight . ella whelan. so we'll tonight. ella whelan. so we'll be dissecting all of it. >> michelle has an excellent panel >> michelle has an excellent panel. iain duncan—smith a respected parliament korean. um, mike freer , of course, who's mike freer, of course, who's been forced out of politics dramatically after his office was firebombed . a was firebombed. a parliamentarian in a jewish part of london, a parliamentarian forced to wear a stab vest to work because of a suspected murder attempt , the same murder attempt, the same terrorist that killed mp david amess was waiting at mike fryer's office. he only missed that , uh,

fryer's office. he only missed that, uh, encounter fryer's office. he only missed that , uh, encounter with fryer's office. he only missed that, uh, encounter with this psychopathic terrorist because he was called into a meeting, i believe, with boris johnson. that was enough for him. he decided to call time and who can blame him? who can blame people for wanting to get out of this game when it's become so toxic andifs game when it's become so toxic and it's getting to the point where parliamentarians are losing their lives in fear of their lives. of course, that also happened to jo cox up in batley, and we're seeing this now, this toxic nature spiralling out of control. as we said, the by—election last night in rochdale fought on that single issue of gaza . single issue of gaza. astonishing when you think that's over 2000 miles away from the northern town. let's go back now to our political editor, chris hope, at downing street. chris hope, at downing street. chris welcome back. the lecterns out the water is out. the nation is watching. chris what are we expecting ? well . set your

watches. >> we are. we are seeing behind me. martin, the crest on the famous lectern. that means it's a government announcement rather than a party announcement. that means no general election. so everyone calm down. don't worry about that. there's no election on may the 2nd being called right now. although there may be one the future, but not now . one in the future, but not now. it's election it's not an election announcement. it's going to be announcement. it's going to be announcement about something else be to else we think may be linked to mp the whole mp security. i think the whole tone the past weeks has tone of the past two weeks has seen getting more seen rishi sunak getting more and concerned about the and more concerned about the effect on our democracy, of the pressure, the intimidation by protesters. we saw it last week with votes on gaza, when the with the votes on gaza, when the speaker the house of commons speaker of the house of commons allowed on their allowed mps to vote on their measure take the heat off measure to take the heat off them locally. saw this week them locally. we saw this week them locally. we saw this week the police chiefs, the pm calling police chiefs, announcing money announcing £31 million of money spent keeping candidates and spent on keeping candidates and mps and councillors safe. that's a hotline extra, extra support for private security. it's a if you go around someone's house

and you protest there, that will be intimidation, etc. so we're heanng be intimidation, etc. so we're hearing some testing, taking place now by the speakers. um which above me, you'll hear it very shortly. so we are expecting pm emerge very expecting the pm to emerge very shortly, we expect some kind shortly, and we expect some kind of about public of announcement about public life, intimidation , about life, about intimidation, about safety mps and it comes on safety of mps and it comes on the back of last night's dramatic win for george galloway, the new mp for rochdale. of course, um , that rochdale. of course, um, that was very a fractious was a very a fractious a difficult, um, almost a hugely controversial by—election like of which we haven't seen for many, many years, in which labour disowned its own candidate. another party did too. um, it was wracked with issues about gaza , as you said, issues about gaza, as you said, martin, a war being fought 2000 miles away. suddenly impacted a lot on, on on a small town in rochdale . well, many people rochdale. well, many people there when i was up there earlier today, they were saying, you know, some were saying, well, great, what new mp called george galloway replacing tony wright, died january . wright, who died in january. others saying don't know why others saying i don't know why george and why george galloway is here and why he's saying this is for gaza.

his words as mp for his first words as mp for rochdale, this is for rochdale, saying this is for gaza, not for the people of rochdale. the guy came rochdale. well, the guy came second. the independent candidate, campaigning on candidate, he was campaigning on hyper issues. a new hyper local issues. a new hospital , a maternity hyper local issues. a new hospital, a maternity wing for rochdale fc trying to keep that club afloat and ensure that it has a long future . those are the has a long future. those are the issues that care about in issues that many care about in rochdale, for other people rochdale, but for other people in community, maybe the in the community, maybe the large george large muslim population, george galloway that and galloway tapped into that and fought on the issue of fought hard on the issue of gaza. not an issue that would affect other people affect many other local people in . in rochdale. >> and chris, because we are the people's channel, we're being absolutely flooded with gb views comments from our listeners and viewers. i want to put a couple of those to you now, chris, caroline is saying this if rishi sunak just does his same old usual speech about how he shouldn't have to tolerate this or that and no actual action is going to happen, or any effective change is implemented from the speech, i am going from the speech, then i am going to so, very disappoint to be so, so very disappoint pointed martin adds this . we pointed martin adds this. we don't want to hear any more

promises or statements. we want action, chris. people are frustrated with the rhetoric. they want to see firm action. now . now. >> i mean, caroline should be reassured there is some measures the government's done. what happensin the government's done. what happens in our public life is the mps and governments propose and pass laws and police then implement them. so there's a division between how the police choose to deal with, deal with trouble on the streets and the laws they've got. and whether mps need more of them. now, there are measures out there that are meant to deal with intimidation. you can't wear a mask marches, you can't mask on some marches, you can't beam offensive language onto pubuc beam offensive language onto public like public buildings like parliament. police not parliament. the police are not enforcing that's enforcing that. i think that's the of wednesday night the point of wednesday night when met with police when the pm met with police chiefs wales, chiefs across england and wales, £31 new protocol £31 million. a new protocol saying making clear what police chiefs expect. local forces to do. and that may affect some change. i think the pm is very aware that we are at the beginning of a long election yean beginning of a long election year, a long run into what i

expect i might be proved wrong. the november general election in 2024, and that's why he wants to get the tone right. and that's why called this an why he's probably called this an announcement. got to say to announcement. i've got to say to you, to viewers and listeners, gb highly unusual. gb news, this is highly unusual. i what i was i mean, it's not what i was expecting be coming expecting to be doing coming back rochdale and overnight back from rochdale and overnight by—election to be dashing here to and to to number 10 and trying to communicate to viewers and listeners going on. he listeners what is going on. he doesn't recall many these. doesn't recall many of these. it's doesn't recall many of these. ifs sunak it's not not a usual, um, sunak stunt . so whatever next stunt. so whatever happens next will dramatic . it will be will be dramatic. it will be a line in the sand. i think it's going to be a tonal thing for rishi he wants make rishi sunak. he wants to make very we've gone so very clear that we've gone so far. allowed our public far. we've allowed our public life to be pressured and intimidated. it's at some point the democracy the fabric of democracy has got to looked i think to be looked after. i think that's we are with the that's where we are with the prime minister. but we'll know very soon and another quick view here. >> want read out to, well, >> i want to read out to, well, everybody listening. and also to you, adds this. i'm you, chris, jeff adds this. i'm wondering it's about the wondering if it's about the attitude that some demonstrators display on very, very display on those very, very angry marchers. all we ever needed to do was to have one law

for all and no exceptions . for all and no exceptions. chris. that's a valid, valid point. people are watching this week by week by week, and they are seeing what they believe now to be an emergence of two tier policing coming . and there we policing coming. and there we have rishi sunak is coming out. he's emerged from the door downing street, he's about to give a speech. here it is. let's go back to rishi sunak. >> weeks and months we have seen a shocking increase in extremist disruption and criminality . what disruption and criminality. what started as protests on our streets has descended into intimidation, threats and planned acts of violence . jewish planned acts of violence. jewish children fearful to wear their school uniform lest it reveal their identity . muslim women their identity. muslim women abused in the street for the actions of a terrorist group. they have no connection with. now our democracy itself is a target . council meetings and target. council meetings and local events have been stormed . local events have been stormed. mps do not feel safe in their

homes . long standing homes. long standing parliamentary conventions have been upended because of safety concerns and it is beyond alarming that last night the rochdale by—election returned a candidate who dismisses the horror of what happened on october the 7th, who glorify hezbollah and is endorsed by nick griffin , the racist former nick griffin, the racist former leader of the bnp . i need to leader of the bnp. i need to speak to you all this evening because this situation has gone on long enough. and to demands a response, not just from government, but from all of us. britain is a patriotic , liberal britain is a patriotic, liberal democratic society with a proud past and a bright future. we're a reasonable country and a decent people. our story is one of progress , of great of progress, of great achievements and enduring values. immigrants who have come here have integrated and contributed. they have helped write the latest chapter in our

island story. they have done this without being required to give up their identity . you can give up their identity. you can be a practising hindu and a proud briton as i am or a devout muslim and a patriotic citizen as so many are, or a committed jewish person. and the heart of your local community and all underpinned by the tolerance of our established christian church . we are a country where we love our neighbours and we are building britain together. our neighbours and we are building britain together . but building britain together. but i fear that our great achievement in building the world's most successful multi—ethnic , successful multi—ethnic, multi—faith democracy is being deliberately undermined . and deliberately undermined. and there are forces here at home trying to tear us apart. since october the 7th, there have been those trying to take advantage of the very human angst that we all feel about the terrible suffering that war brings to the innocent, to women and children

to advance a divisive , hateful to advance a divisive, hateful ideological agenda on too many occasions recently, our streets have been hijacked by small groups who are hostile to our values and have no respect for our democratic traditions . our democratic traditions. membership of our society is contingent on some simple things that you abide by the rule of law , and that change can only law, and that change can only come through the peaceful democratic process . threats of democratic process. threats of violence and intimidation are auen violence and intimidation are alien to our way of doing things . they must be resisted at all times . . they must be resisted at all times. nearly . they must be resisted at all times . nearly everyone . they must be resisted at all times. nearly everyone in britain supports these basic values , but there are small and values, but there are small and vocal hostile groups who do not. is the extremists and the far right feed off and embolden each other. they are equally desperate to pretend that their violence is somehow justified,

when actually these groups are two sides of the same extremist coin. no other group except that change in our country can only come through the peaceful democratic process . both loathe democratic process. both loathe the pluralist modern country. we are both want to set britain against britain to weaponize the evils of anti—semitism and anti—muslim hatred for their own ends. anti—muslim hatred for their own ends . the faith of islam , ends. the faith of islam, peacefully practised by millions of our fellow citizens, is emphatically not the same thing as the extremist political ideology of islamism, which aims to separate muslims from the rest of society . islamist rest of society. islamist extremists and far right groups are spreading a poison . that are spreading a poison. that poison is extremism. it aims to drain us of our confidence in ourselves as a people and in our shared future. they want us to doubt ourselves, to doubt each other, to doubt our country's history and achievements. they

want us to accept a moral equivalence between britain and some of the most despicable regimes in the world. they want us to believe that our country and the west more generally , is and the west more generally, is solely responsible for the world's ills, and that we, along with our allies , are the with our allies, are the problem. in short , they want to problem. in short, they want to destroy our confidence and hope. we must not allow that to happen when these groups claim that britain is and has been on the wrong side of history, we should reject it and reject it again . reject it and reject it again. no country is perfect, but i am enormously proud of the good that our country has done in our place in history is defined by the sacrifice that our people have made in the service of their own freedom , and that of their own freedom, and that of others . and when these groups others. and when these groups tell our children that they cannot and will not succeed because of who they are, when they tell children that the

system is rigged against them , system is rigged against them, or that britain is a racist country . this is not only a lie, country. this is not only a lie, but a cynical attempt to crush young dreams and turn impressionistic minds against their own society . i stand here their own society. i stand here as our country's first non—white prime minister, lead the most diverse government in our country's history to tell people of all races , all faiths and all of all races, all faiths and all backgrounds , it is not the backgrounds, it is not the colour of your skin, the god you believe in, or where you were born that will determine your success. but just your own hard work and endeavour. and we must be prepared to stand up for our shared values in all circumstances , no matter how circumstances, no matter how difficult . and i respect that difficult. and i respect that the police have a tough job in policing the protests. we have seen , and that they are seen, and that they are operationally independent. ant but we must draw a line. yes you

can march and protest with passion. you can demand the protection of civilian life . but protection of civilian life. but no, you cannot call for violent jihad . there is no context in jihad. there is no context in which it can be acceptable to beam anti—semitic tropes onto big ben. in the middle of a vote on israel, gaza . and there can on israel, gaza. and there can be no cause that you can use to justify the support of a proscribed terrorist group like hamas . and yes, you can freely hamas. and yes, you can freely criticise the actions of this government, or indeed any government, or indeed any government that is a fundamental democratic right. but no, you cannot use that as an excuse to call for the eradication of a state or any kind of hatred or anti—semitism . this week i've anti—semitism. this week i've met with senior police officers and made clear it is the public's expectation that they will not merely manage these protests , but police them . and i protests, but police them. and i say this to the police we will

back you when you take action. but if we are asking more of the police, we in government must also back up that call with action on. to that end , this action on. to that end, this month the government will implement a new robust framework for how it deals with this issue to ensure that we are dealing with the root causes of this problem and that no extremist organisation or individuals are being lent legitimacy by their actions and interactions with central government. you cannot be part of our civic life if your agenda is to tear it down. we will redouble our support for the prevent programme to stop young minds being poisoned by extremism . um, we will demand extremism. um, we will demand that universal stop extremist activity on campus . we will also activity on campus. we will also activity on campus. we will also act to prevent people entering this country whose aim is to undermine its values . the home undermine its values. the home secretary has instructed that if those here on visas choose to

spew hate or protest or seek to intimidate people , we will intimidate people, we will remove their right to be here. and our britain must not be a country in which we descend into polarised camps with some community living parallel lives . community living parallel lives. it is not enough to live side by side. we must live together, unite by shared values and a shared commitment to this country . we and i want to speak country. we and i want to speak directly to those who choose to continue to protest . don't let continue to protest. don't let the extremists hijack your marches . you have a chance in marches. you have a chance in the coming weeks to show that you can protest decently, peacefully and with empathy for your fellow citizens . let us your fellow citizens. let us prove these extremists wrong and show them that even when we disagree , we will never be disagree, we will never be disunited from our common values of decency and respect . i love of decency and respect. i love this country, my family, and i

owe it so much . the time has now owe it so much. the time has now come for us all to stand together, to combat the forces of division and beat this poison . we must face down the extremists who would tear us apart. there must be leadership, not pandering or appeasement. when they tell their lies. we will tell the truth. when they try and sap our confidence , we try and sap our confidence, we will redouble our efforts . and will redouble our efforts. and when they try and make us doubt each other, we will dig deeper for that extra ounce of compassion and empathy that they want us to believe doesn't exist, but that i know, does . if exist, but that i know, does. if we do that, we can build on our great achievement in creating today's britain, a country of kind, decent, tolerant people. we can make this a country in which we all feel a renewed

sense of pride. this is our home. so let us go forward together . we're confident in home. so let us go forward together. we're confident in our values and confident in our future . future. >> okay, that was the prime minister, rishi sunak, there delivering a statement to the nafion delivering a statement to the nation live from downing street talking about they want to destroy our confidence and hope we should reject them of course, this is since the marches from october the 7th onwards. britain is not a racist country. these claims aim to tear us apart with law and order in mind, he said. i accept police have a tough job, but they must draw a line . job, but they must draw a line. he particularly said there is no situation where projecting anti—semitic images onto big ben is acceptable, except, of course , that did happen and the police

didn't intervene when it comes to what happens next, because there was a lot of rhetoric in that speech. i felt in terms of a new robust framework to deal with the root causes . let's with the root causes. let's cross back now to downing street, where christopher hope our political editor, is still there. chris it's an impassioned speech. um, a lot of rhetoric. what about the . action what about the. action >> well, martin, as we've be saying , saying that a line in saying, saying that a line in the sand has been drawn after a pretty grim 2 or 3 weeks in our democracy. he was quite tough there on george galloway, um, saying that he described the by—election rochdale as beyond alarming . by—election rochdale as beyond alarming. um, it's gone on for long enough. a line in the sand has been drawn. i heard a few things there, which are newsy and things happening. he's going to the amount money to double the amount of money being the on the being spent on the on the prevent strategy, is prevent strategy, which is basically money spent on community engagement stopping basically money spent on community e getting ent stopping basically money spent on community e getting polarisedpping basically money spent on

community e getting polarised ,3ing communities getting polarised, bringing together. that's bringing them together. that's money by combined with money spent by the combined with the office and also the home office and also the levelling up department. that's normally where that money comes from. you may make from. and also, you may make very that expects very clear that he now expects police to enforce law on the police to enforce the law on the marches. what he's saying there, martin, is what you saw last wednesday. not wednesday. the police not enforcing that that protest enforcing that that that protest outside parliament on the same day as mps were debating the gaza war. that will not happen again and you will have the support , um, of politicians. support, um, of politicians. that's really important for police. they now know what is expected of them, and we should be seeing that very shortly at the next marches that take place on, on the issue of, of the gaza war, but the language that i've never the speak so, so never heard the pm speak so, so emotionally, i think about the language. must go, we must language. we must go, we must build , a and go build, build a home and go forward together, he said, um, he wants leadership is not pandenng he wants leadership is not pandering . you can't you can't pandering. you can't you can't appease these communities. islamists are not the same as people from the muslim. the islamic faith. they are different and have to be seen as

such. in the same way, the far right should be should be taken on properly. he's saying he's drawing that line, which maybe some have drawn some politicians have not drawn between islamism and between islamism, islamism and people of a muslim faith. and that's important him. he that's very important to him. he sees wants bring sees that he wants to bring people together. wants to people together. he wants to recognise the marches , recognise that that the marches, the protests since october 7 last year, have some have sought to drive communities apart. and that stops. it's a line in the sand. he's saying, judge me by my actions. well, let's see how it goes . it goes. >> he mentions islamism , >> he mentions islamism, islamism. it aims to split peaceful muslims apart. islamism. it aims to split peaceful muslims apart . that's peaceful muslims apart. that's exactly what we were saying on the show last week. but of course, leander was was suspended for that in terms of the actual action, a new robust framework

talking about deporting people in a similar way to france . at in a similar way to france. at long last, that's firm . action long last, that's firm. action that happens . that happens. >> we know, don't we? and the government's very clear on the issue. when lawyers get involved in human rights of if human rights are invoked and these people are frustrate the will of the , as that's what the politicians, as that's what we've much. but i think we've seen so much. but i think he has stepped his he really has stepped up his game. minister here, game. the prime minister here, he's the steps of he's gone to the steps of downing street. made very downing street. he's made very clear not really clear that it's not really almost really a party almost not really a party political matter, is it? it's one entire democracy . one about our entire democracy. it'll interesting see it'll be very interesting to see what keir starmer what sir keir starmer says later. normally, keir