Amber Rudd promises crackdown on antisemitism and online extremism

She said Prevent, the government’s controversial anti-extremism scheme, was working well as a “prime counter-radicalisation programme”.

Ms Rudd also spoke about the Conservatives’ political opponents, saying the Labour Party leadership were “not serious” about tackling discrimination.

“When the country is facing so many complex threats, I do not believe that our country would be safe in the hands of Jeremy Corbyn, John McDonnell and Diane Abbott,” she said.

“The Conservative Party has always been, and always must be, the party of law and order. And I will give credit to previous Labour Home Secretaries that took important steps to improve our security. But this lot are different.

“They have spent three decades opposing anti-terrorist laws. They’ve talked of their ‘friends’ in Hamas and Hezbollah. They are silent on the antisemitism that festers in their party.

“They won’t clearly condemn the actions of the IRA. They don’t support police officers shooting to kill. They’ve called for the dismantling of the police, the disbandment of MI5 and the disarming of police officers.

“Saying you condemn all violence when specifically asked if you’ll condemn one groups’ actions isn’t good enough. Staying silent when your supporters abuse and insult people because of their religion, sex or political views isn’t good enough. Simply paying lip service to demonstrate your commitment to our security isn’t good enough.

“Their record proves they are not serious. And your safety would not be their priority as a result. Britain deserves better leadership than this in these difficult times.”

Jeremy Corbyn was repeatedly criticised last week after Labour’s own conference saw antisemitic remarks after the party adopted new rules on tackling Jew-hate among members.

Ms Rudd was criticised by Sadiq Khan, the London Mayor, yesterday for failing to proscribe Hezbollah in its entirety in Britain.

She did not announce any plans to take further action against the terror group in her speech in Manchester.

Jonathan Arkush, Board of Deputies president, attacked Ms Rudd’s decision not to close a loophole in legislation which would see the political wing of the group banned.

In a statement today he said: “If the government is serious about taking measures to combat extremism, it must be made illegal to display the flag of a designated terrorist organisation on British streets. 

“There is no distinction between Hezbollah’s so-called military and political wings and it is time that the government ensured that support for any part of any terror organisation is treated as a criminal offence.

“We will be raising this with the Home Secretary.”

Sign up for the JC Politics email
Click here to receive the best of our political writing direct to your inbox every Friday