Kemi Badenoch has backed Keir Starmer’s move to block 11 “far-right agitators” from entering the country ahead of today’s Unite the Kingdom rally.
Speaking to GB News, the Conservative Party leader was also questioned about concerns over a “two-tier justice” approach to the march, which is expected to draw around 80,000 demonstrators to London.
Addressing the banning of some individuals from travelling to speak at the event, Mrs Badenoch said: “Well, I just don’t know who those people are.
“A Government has a right to keep people out of the country if they think they’re going to cause problems here.
“Maybe if he were able to do the same with the small boats and the problematic migrants coming here, taking advantage of our country, I think he’d get more respect.
“But I’m not going to complain about a Prime Minister keeping people out of the country If they’re causing trouble, that’s what they’re supposed to do,” she reiterated.
Saturday’s Unite the Kingdom rally will occur alongside the pro-Palestine Nakba Day march.
GB News host Charlie Peters began: “There has been some criticism levelled towards Keir Starmer about so-called two-tier justice, because he’s focusing on that rally and not the pro-Palestine protest that’s taking place on the same day.
Kemi Badenoch has backed Keir Starmer’s ‘right to keep people out if they’re going to cause problems’ ahead of Unite the Kingdom rally
|
GB NEWS
“Would you add your name to those concerns that are focused too much in one direction?”
“So I have been very clear that it is time to ban those marches,” Mrs Badenoch responded.
“They are creating a climate of fear and intimidation for Jewish people.
“We saw what happened in Golders Green, those attempted murders. We saw what happened in Manchester, in Heaton Park. Actual murders in a synagogue.
At least 100,000 demonstrators are expected in central London for the rally
|
GETTY
“That’s what I’m very worried about. And that’s why I keep talking about how we need to get serious about tackling anti-Semitism,” she insisted.
Ahead of Saturday’s demonstration, Keir Starmer declared: “We’re in a fight for the soul of this country.
“The Unite the Kingdom march this weekend is a stark reminder of exactly what we are up against.
“Its organisers are peddling hatred and division, plain and simple. We will block those coming into the UK who seek to incite hatred and violence.
Ahead of the rally, Keir Starmer said: ‘We’re in a fight for the soul of this country’
|
KEIR STARMER/X“For anyone who sets out to wreak havoc on our streets, to intimidate or threaten anyone, you can expect to face the full force of the law”.
One of those banned includes US citizen and Republican Party candidate Valentina Gomez, who took to X to blast the “Orwellian” policing operation in place this weekend.
The Metropolitan Police will deploy 4,000 officers across Central London this weekend to maintain order, with helicopters, facial recognition cameras and other hardware deployed.
Scotland Yard has described the operation as unprecedented in recent years, claiming it will take a “zero-tolerance approach”.