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Rudd unveils plan to fight violent crime, insisting police cuts not linked to rise - live Rudd unveils plan to fight violent crime, insisting police cuts not linked to rise - live
(35 minutes later)
Theresa May and Danish prime minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen are giving a press conference in Copenhagen. Rasmussen says Denmark stands united with the UK over the attack on former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal is Salisbury.
He points out the Denmark has expelled two Russian diplomats over the poisoning.
May says the UK “utterly condemns” the chemical attack in Syria. If the Assad regime is found to be responsible Syria and its backers must be held to account, she says.
May says Russia has repeatedly used its UN veto to stop Syria being held to account. This must stop she says. She describes the attack in Salisbury as similarly reckless, and says there is no other plausible explanation than that Russia was responsible.
She thanks Denmark for its support over the attack.
Jeremy Corbyn has said Amber Rudd has been “completely undermined” by leaked Home Office documents suggesting government cuts are linked to the rise in violent crime, and demanded the home secretary explain herself to parliament.
The Labour leader, speaking at the launch of his party’s London local election campaign, said every Londoner had experienced the effects of cuts to police and social services.
“The daily experience of every single one of us, whatever political party you support, is that when there are no PCSOs, no Safer Neighbourhood team, you feel a sense of unease … People start to act with impunity,” he said.
Corbyn said he would host a roundtable meeting on Tuesday that would include police officers, families who have lost children, and organisations working to end knife and gun crime.
He said the Conservatives had a record of “reckless failure” and leaked documents revealed by the Guardian on Monday showed the government was ignoring evidence from its officials.
“We always said cuts have consequences and now the Home Office’s own officials agree with us,” he said. “Today’s leaked documents make a nonsense of the Tories’ repeated claims that their cuts to police numbers have had no effect.”
Theresa May has overtaken Jeremy Corbyn in a poll for the first time since the election, according YouGov.
The public sees Theresa May more favourably than Jeremy Corbyn for the first time since the general election:Favourable / Unfavourable (net)Theresa May: 37% / 50% (-13)Jeremy Corbyn: 31% / 54% (-23)https://t.co/v0sgg5dumP pic.twitter.com/eugkkGfzVL
Loyalist paramilitaries in Northern Ireland have pledged to support the rule of law and expel members who engage in criminal activity, PA reports.Loyalist paramilitaries in Northern Ireland have pledged to support the rule of law and expel members who engage in criminal activity, PA reports.
In a joint statement, the Red Hand Commando, Ulster Defence Association (UDA) and Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) “emphatically” condemned crime. It said:In a joint statement, the Red Hand Commando, Ulster Defence Association (UDA) and Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) “emphatically” condemned crime. It said:
“We fully support the rule of law in all areas of life and emphatically condemn all forms of criminal activity.“We fully support the rule of law in all areas of life and emphatically condemn all forms of criminal activity.
“Individuals who use criminality to serve their own interests at the expense of loyalist communities are an affront to the true principles of loyalism.“Individuals who use criminality to serve their own interests at the expense of loyalist communities are an affront to the true principles of loyalism.
“We reject and repudiate as unacceptable and contrary to loyalist principles any criminal action claimed to have been undertaken in our name or attributed to any individual claiming membership of one of our organisations.“We reject and repudiate as unacceptable and contrary to loyalist principles any criminal action claimed to have been undertaken in our name or attributed to any individual claiming membership of one of our organisations.
“We further declare that any engagement in criminal acts by any individuals within our organisations will be regarded as placing those persons outside the memberships.“We further declare that any engagement in criminal acts by any individuals within our organisations will be regarded as placing those persons outside the memberships.
“This has been collectively agreed. “We cannot allow criminals to hinder transformation and the ground in which such people stand is now shrinking.”“This has been collectively agreed. “We cannot allow criminals to hinder transformation and the ground in which such people stand is now shrinking.”
The statement, which was read out during a press conference, at the Linen Hall Library in Belfast was issued to mark the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement which largely ended decades of violence in Northern Ireland.The statement, which was read out during a press conference, at the Linen Hall Library in Belfast was issued to mark the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement which largely ended decades of violence in Northern Ireland.
It was the result of lengthy discussions with three Protestant church leaders.It was the result of lengthy discussions with three Protestant church leaders.
The statement comes seven months after a new task force targeting criminal activity by all paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland became fully operational.The statement comes seven months after a new task force targeting criminal activity by all paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland became fully operational.
Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable George Hamilton has welcomed the loyalist commitment.Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable George Hamilton has welcomed the loyalist commitment.
Boris Johnson has congratulated Viktor Orban on winning the Hungarian election, after Orban and his Fidesz party ran a hardline anti-immigrant campaign.Boris Johnson has congratulated Viktor Orban on winning the Hungarian election, after Orban and his Fidesz party ran a hardline anti-immigrant campaign.
Congratulations to Fidesz and Viktor Orban on winning the elections in Hungary. We look forward to working with our Hungarian friends to further develop our close partnership. #UKandHungaryCongratulations to Fidesz and Viktor Orban on winning the elections in Hungary. We look forward to working with our Hungarian friends to further develop our close partnership. #UKandHungary
Responding to the serious violence strategy, announced by Amber Rudd today, the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned the squeeze on councils’ budgets is affecting their work with young people.Responding to the serious violence strategy, announced by Amber Rudd today, the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned the squeeze on councils’ budgets is affecting their work with young people.
Cllr Simon Blackburn, chair of the LGA’s safer and stronger communities board, said:Cllr Simon Blackburn, chair of the LGA’s safer and stronger communities board, said:
It is not helpful that councils are still waiting to receive their youth justice grant allocations for 2018/19. This is vital funding used to support young people and help keep them away from criminality in the first place. This follows government funding for council youth offending teams already being halved from £145m in 2010/11 to just £72m in 2017/18.It is not helpful that councils are still waiting to receive their youth justice grant allocations for 2018/19. This is vital funding used to support young people and help keep them away from criminality in the first place. This follows government funding for council youth offending teams already being halved from £145m in 2010/11 to just £72m in 2017/18.
Councils also face significant rises in demand for urgent child protection work and with a children’s services funding gap that will reach almost £2bn by 2020, councils are increasingly having to divert funding away from preventative work into services to protect children who are at immediate risk of harm.Councils also face significant rises in demand for urgent child protection work and with a children’s services funding gap that will reach almost £2bn by 2020, councils are increasingly having to divert funding away from preventative work into services to protect children who are at immediate risk of harm.
Only with the right funding and powers can councils continue to make a difference to people’s lives, by supporting families and young people, and helping to tackle serious violent crime in our local communities.Only with the right funding and powers can councils continue to make a difference to people’s lives, by supporting families and young people, and helping to tackle serious violent crime in our local communities.
Here’s a lunchtime summary:Here’s a lunchtime summary:
Amber Rudd, has denied seeing documents from her department, leaked to the Guardian, which said government cuts to the police had “likely contributed” to a rise in serious violent crime. Rudd repeatedly insisted that a recent rise in violent crime, including a high-profile series of murders in London, was not connected to police funding cuts.Amber Rudd, has denied seeing documents from her department, leaked to the Guardian, which said government cuts to the police had “likely contributed” to a rise in serious violent crime. Rudd repeatedly insisted that a recent rise in violent crime, including a high-profile series of murders in London, was not connected to police funding cuts.
The impact of police numbers on violent crime was left out the government’s new Serious Violence Strategy. It focussed instead on the impact of drug markets, social and economic disadvantages and social media.The impact of police numbers on violent crime was left out the government’s new Serious Violence Strategy. It focussed instead on the impact of drug markets, social and economic disadvantages and social media.
Jeremy Corbyn urged Rudd to explain to Parliament the impact of police cuts on violent crime. He said the leaked research made a nonsense of her claims.Jeremy Corbyn urged Rudd to explain to Parliament the impact of police cuts on violent crime. He said the leaked research made a nonsense of her claims.
The EU has accepted that Britain will not be changing its mind on Brexit and may never return to the bloc after next year’s divorce, according to Phil Hogan, Ireland’s EU commissioner in Brussels. EU leaders do not expect any substantive change in the UK’s position before article 50 of the Lisbon treaty is invoked in March 2019, even if there is a vote on the Brexit deal in parliament before that deadline, he is due to say.The EU has accepted that Britain will not be changing its mind on Brexit and may never return to the bloc after next year’s divorce, according to Phil Hogan, Ireland’s EU commissioner in Brussels. EU leaders do not expect any substantive change in the UK’s position before article 50 of the Lisbon treaty is invoked in March 2019, even if there is a vote on the Brexit deal in parliament before that deadline, he is due to say.
Boris Johnson has called for a robust international response to the chemical attack in Douma. The head of th Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, Ahmet Üzümcü, expressed his “grave concern” over the incident and launched an inquiry.Boris Johnson has called for a robust international response to the chemical attack in Douma. The head of th Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, Ahmet Üzümcü, expressed his “grave concern” over the incident and launched an inquiry.
Two Tory MPs, Tom Tugendhat and Johnny Mercer, have called for an attack against Syria without a parliamentary vote. “Standing by as kids are gassed isn’t pacifism, it’s tolerating evil,” Tugendhat said.Two Tory MPs, Tom Tugendhat and Johnny Mercer, have called for an attack against Syria without a parliamentary vote. “Standing by as kids are gassed isn’t pacifism, it’s tolerating evil,” Tugendhat said.
Harriet Harman has accepted an apology from a Tory MP Kemi Badenoch for hacking into her website and altering its contents. Asked about the “naughtiest” thing she had done, Badenoch said: “About 10 years ago, I hacked into a Labour MP’s website and I changed stuff in there to say nice things about Tories.”Harriet Harman has accepted an apology from a Tory MP Kemi Badenoch for hacking into her website and altering its contents. Asked about the “naughtiest” thing she had done, Badenoch said: “About 10 years ago, I hacked into a Labour MP’s website and I changed stuff in there to say nice things about Tories.”
Theresa May has arrived in Copenhagen for talks with her Danish counterpart. She is due to give a press conference at around 1.30pm.Theresa May has arrived in Copenhagen for talks with her Danish counterpart. She is due to give a press conference at around 1.30pm.
Theresa May arrives in Copenhagen for her bilat with Danish PM Lars Lokke Rasmussen 🇩🇰🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/p1Xv3Ll5cvTheresa May arrives in Copenhagen for her bilat with Danish PM Lars Lokke Rasmussen 🇩🇰🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/p1Xv3Ll5cv
Rudd is asked why the strategy contains no reference to cuts in police numbers.Rudd is asked why the strategy contains no reference to cuts in police numbers.
She says she recognises the pressure on police. She repeats that she has not seen the leaked research. She says she wants a strategy based on evidence not anecdote.She says she recognises the pressure on police. She repeats that she has not seen the leaked research. She says she wants a strategy based on evidence not anecdote.
Rudd urges social media companies to ban content linked to gangs inflaming violence.Rudd urges social media companies to ban content linked to gangs inflaming violence.
She said they must review their terms and conditions to make it clear they will not host gang content.She said they must review their terms and conditions to make it clear they will not host gang content.
Tackling serious violence is not a “law enforcement issue alone”, according to a key government strategy published amid an embarrassing row over the impact of police numbers on a rising tide of violent crime in Britain.Tackling serious violence is not a “law enforcement issue alone”, according to a key government strategy published amid an embarrassing row over the impact of police numbers on a rising tide of violent crime in Britain.
The impact of police numbers on violent crime is conspicuous by its absence from the government’s much-hyped Serious Violence Strategy, published by the Home Office on Monday after the Guardian revealed department research concluded falling police numbers “likely contributed” to an increase in knife and gun crime.The impact of police numbers on violent crime is conspicuous by its absence from the government’s much-hyped Serious Violence Strategy, published by the Home Office on Monday after the Guardian revealed department research concluded falling police numbers “likely contributed” to an increase in knife and gun crime.
The leak threatened to overshadow the broader findings and conclusions of the strategy, such as the impact of drug markets, social and economic disadvantages and social media, at a time when knife and gun deaths on British streets, particularly in London, surge with 50 murders in the capital this year alone.The leak threatened to overshadow the broader findings and conclusions of the strategy, such as the impact of drug markets, social and economic disadvantages and social media, at a time when knife and gun deaths on British streets, particularly in London, surge with 50 murders in the capital this year alone.
The final 115-page document contains little about the impact of increasing or decreasing police numbers, despite the research seen by the Guardian being clear on its findings and marked “official – sensitive”.The final 115-page document contains little about the impact of increasing or decreasing police numbers, despite the research seen by the Guardian being clear on its findings and marked “official – sensitive”.
Amber Rudd is outlining the government’s new strategy to tackle violent crime. She insists again that there is no evidence to support claims that cuts in police numbers are behind the rise in violence.Amber Rudd is outlining the government’s new strategy to tackle violent crime. She insists again that there is no evidence to support claims that cuts in police numbers are behind the rise in violence.
She points to a strong link between drugs and violent crime.She points to a strong link between drugs and violent crime.
Serious violence is on the up and this is linked to drug dealing, Rudd says, especially within so-called county lines gangs and particularly crack cocaine.Serious violence is on the up and this is linked to drug dealing, Rudd says, especially within so-called county lines gangs and particularly crack cocaine.
Labour continues to attack the government over the home office leak and Rudd’s admission that she hasn’t read the research.Labour continues to attack the government over the home office leak and Rudd’s admission that she hasn’t read the research.
Shadow Home Secretary, Diane Abbott, said:Shadow Home Secretary, Diane Abbott, said:
“The Tories’ concern about knife crime doesn’t even run so far as providing new money or extra officers to tackle it. What part of the Home Office budget is being raided to fund this initiative? It must not be from elsewhere in the police or security budgets which have already been slashed.“The Tories’ concern about knife crime doesn’t even run so far as providing new money or extra officers to tackle it. What part of the Home Office budget is being raided to fund this initiative? It must not be from elsewhere in the police or security budgets which have already been slashed.
“This morning the Home Secretary claimed to be launching “a fact and evidence-fuelled” strategy, but then admitted she hadn’t even bothered to read the evidence her officials have compiled.“This morning the Home Secretary claimed to be launching “a fact and evidence-fuelled” strategy, but then admitted she hadn’t even bothered to read the evidence her officials have compiled.
“This looks increasingly like a PR stunt by Amber Rudd designed to grab a good headline. The Tories have slashed police funding and resources, leaving them struggling to cope with rising serious crime. This latest announcement looks like a cover up of their own failures.”“This looks increasingly like a PR stunt by Amber Rudd designed to grab a good headline. The Tories have slashed police funding and resources, leaving them struggling to cope with rising serious crime. This latest announcement looks like a cover up of their own failures.”
Corbyn called for an investigation into the Douma attack.Corbyn called for an investigation into the Douma attack.
On Syria, Corbyn says there should be an investigate so world "can find out exactly who delivered that chemical weapon”. Doesn't name Assad.On Syria, Corbyn says there should be an investigate so world "can find out exactly who delivered that chemical weapon”. Doesn't name Assad.
He also called for Rudd to explain to Parliament why her own department found that cuts in police numbers were a contributory factor to the rise in violent crime.He also called for Rudd to explain to Parliament why her own department found that cuts in police numbers were a contributory factor to the rise in violent crime.
Corbyn paid tribute to Lammy but said MPs had to be the ones who spoke up for their communities.Corbyn paid tribute to Lammy but said MPs had to be the ones who spoke up for their communities.