Jeremy Hunt stated on News’ Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips broadcast that although most people intended to protest peacefully, there had been instances of “very intimidatory protests” and that this was “not the British way”.
According to him, extremism needs to be contested and “lines are being crossed” when it occurs.
Following Rishi Sunak’s warning about “extremist forces trying to tear us apart” in a Downing Street speech to the public, Mr. Hunt made his remarks.
The prime minister declared that “our democracy itself is a target” and that “protests on our streets have descended into intimidation, threats, and planned acts of violence,” echoing earlier warnings about the dangers of “mob rule.”
He added that the outcome of the Rochdale by-election, in which the campaign was marred by claims of intimidation and harassment and dominated by the sensitive topic of Gaza, was “beyond alarming” for the left-wing firebrand George Galloway.
