Latest news with #KentishTown
The Sun
17 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Sir Keir Starmer says his sister-in-law could have been killed when his house was firebombed
SIR KEIR Starmer has said his sister-in-law could have been killed when his house was firebombed. The Prime Minister has revealed his wife's sister was luckily still awake when the alleged arson attack took place in the early hours. 2 Sir Keir told The Observer his family were 'shaken up'. He said: 'She happened to still be awake, so she heard the noise and got the fire brigade. 'But it could have been a different story.' The incident came just hours before he was due to give a press conference, which he considered cancelling due to the impact on his family, including wife Victoria. He said: 'Vic was really shaken up — as, in truth, was I. 'It was just a case of reading the speech and getting through it somehow so I could get back to them.' The blaze in Kentish Town, North London, on May 12 was the most recent of three apparent arson attacks on property and cars linked to the PM. A car was set ablaze on the same street days earlier, and converted flats were targeted in nearby Islington. Three men who have been charged in connection with the attacks will face trial in April next year. Moment flames engulf car outside Keir Starmer's home as man arrested over 'arson' attack on TWO properties linked to PM 2
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Starmer says he ‘deeply regrets' using ‘island of strangers' phrase
Sir Keir Starmer has said he 'deeply regrets' claiming the UK risked becoming an 'island of strangers' in an immigration speech that drew comparisons to the language of Enoch Powell. The Prime Minister said he had not been in the 'best state' to give the press conference, in which he insisted on the need for tighter border controls, as he reeled from an alleged arson attack on his family home. He said he had considered pulling out of the speech after the fire at the property in Kentish Town left him and his wife Lady Victoria Starmer 'really shaken up.' The Prime Minister ended up going through with the conference as planned on May 12, hours after the blaze. In it, he warned Britain risked becoming 'an island of strangers' without tougher immigration controls – rhetoric that sparked an immediate backlash and was denounced by critics, including within Labour ranks, as divisive. At the time, Downing Street doubled down on the remarks and said Sir Keir 'completely rejects' suggestions he had echoed Powell's infamous 'rivers of blood' speech that was blamed for inflaming racial tensions in the 1960s. But in an interview for the Observer the Prime Minister struck a more conciliatory tone, saying the language 'wasn't right'. 'I wouldn't have used those words if I had known they were, or even would be interpreted as an echo of Powell,' he said. 'I had no idea – and my speechwriters didn't know either. But that particular phrase – no – it wasn't right. I'll give you the honest truth: I deeply regret using it.' He added: 'It's fair to say I wasn't in the best state to make a big speech… I was really, really worried. I almost said: 'I won't do the bloody press conference.' 'Vic was really shaken up as, in truth, was I. It was just a case of reading the words out and getting through it somehow… so I could get back to them.' Critics drew parallels between the phrase and a passage from Powell's 1968 speech in which he claimed white Britons were at risk of becoming 'strangers in their own country'. The Prime Minister stressed he was not seeking to use the alleged arson attack as an excuse and does not blame his advisers, saying he should have read through the speech properly and 'held it up to the light a bit more'. He also backed down on language in his foreword to the policy document linked to the speech, which said record high numbers of migrants entering the UK under the last government had done 'incalculable damage'. Sir Keir insisted the issue needed addressing because the party 'became too distant from working-class people on things like immigration', but said 'this wasn't the way to do it in this current environment'.
The Independent
a day ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Starmer says he regrets ‘island of strangers' comment in immigration speech
Sir Keir Starmer has admitted he "deeply regrets" using the phrase "island of strangers" in an immigration speech that drew immediate comparisons to the divisive rhetoric of Enoch Powell. The Labour leader revealed he was "not in the best state" to deliver the press conference, which took place just hours after an alleged arson attack on his family home. He explained that he had considered cancelling the event after the fire at his property in Kentish Town left him and his wife, Lady Victoria Starmer, "really shaken up." Despite the personal ordeal, Mr Starmer proceeded with the planned conference on May 12. During the address, he warned that Britain risked becoming "an island of strangers" without tougher border controls – a choice of words that sparked an immediate backlash and was denounced by critics, including some within his own party, as divisive. At the time, Downing Street doubled down on the remarks and said Sir Keir 'completely rejects' suggestions he had echoed Powell's infamous 'rivers of blood' speech that was blamed for inflaming racial tensions in the 1960s. But in an interview for the Observer the Prime Minister struck a more conciliatory tone, saying the language 'wasn't right'. 'I wouldn't have used those words if I had known they were, or even would be interpreted as an echo of Powell,' he said. 'I had no idea – and my speechwriters didn't know either. But that particular phrase – no – it wasn't right. I'll give you the honest truth: I deeply regret using it.' He added: 'It's fair to say I wasn't in the best state to make a big speech… I was really, really worried. I almost said: 'I won't do the bloody press conference.' 'Vic was really shaken up as, in truth, was I. It was just a case of reading the words out and getting through it somehow… so I could get back to them.' Critics drew parallels between the phrase and a passage from Powell's 1968 speech in which he claimed white Britons were at risk of becoming 'strangers in their own country'. The Prime Minister stressed he was not seeking to use the alleged arson attack as an excuse and does not blame his advisers, saying he should have read through the speech properly and 'held it up to the light a bit more'. He also backed down on language in his foreword to the policy document linked to the speech, which said record high numbers of migrants entering the UK under the last government had done 'incalculable damage'. Sir Keir insisted the issue needed addressing because the party 'became too distant from working-class people on things like immigration', but said 'this wasn't the way to do it in this current environment'.
Daily Mail
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Crowds of Kneecap fans waving Palestinian flags mob court as rapper Mo Chara is bailed after being charged with terrorism offence 'for displaying Hezbollah flag'
Fans of rap group Kneecap gathered outside court today to support one of its members as he appeared for a hearing after being accused of a terrorism offence. Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig in November last year. The 27-year-old arrived at Westminster Magistrates' Court this morning following the alleged incident during a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, North London. Following a short hearing today, Og O hAnnaidh was released on unconditional bail until his next hearing on August 20 when legal argument will be dealt with. Earlier today, he got out of a vehicle with bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and J J O Dochartaigh, arriving to a scrum of hundreds of supporters who cheered as they arrived. The band were wearing 'Free Mo Chara' T-shirts as they arrived at court. Og O hAnnaidh wore sunglasses, a black t-shirt, trousers and black jacket and held a Keffiyeh - a type of shawl often worn by supporters of the pro-Palestine movement - and his cheering fans chanted 'Free, free Palestine and 'Free, free Mo Chara'. The members then walked up the stairs of the court and looked over the balcony, smiling and giving a thumbs up to their supporters gathered outside. Members of the crowd had surged around the entrance, with some also entering the lobby. The charge Og O hAnnaidh faces alleges that he displayed a flag in a public place, 'in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation' - namely Hezbollah. Kneecap described the prosecution as a 'witch hunt' in a post on X yesterday, which included a short video which appeared to show a billboard that had been displayed in London with the words 'more blacks, more dogs, more Irish, Mo Chara'. Outside the court today, hundreds of demonstrators gathered to show their support for the group while an Irish folk band performed traditional songs to the crowd. Fans of the band held signs and banners stating 'Free Mo Chara', 'Stop Arming Israel', 'Liam's Too Pretty 4 Prison' and 'Defend Kneecap' as well as waving Palestinian and Irish flags and others emblazoned with Kneecap's iconic Irish flag-striped balaclava. People hold placards supporting Og O Hannaidh outside Westminster Magistrates' Court today Meanwhile a van drove past stating: 'More blacks, more dogs, more Irish, Mo Chara' - echoing the notorious, racist 'no blacks, no dogs, no Irish' signs commonplace in the windows of rooming houses in London in the 1950s. As it continued to drive past the crowd, they erupted into cheers as well as chants of 'Free Palestine' and 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free'. In court today, Og O hAnnaidh - who appeared on the court list as Liam O'Hanna - spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address. Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove said: 'This case is not about Mr hAnnaidh's support for the people of Palestine or his criticism of Israel.' He told the court Og O hAnnaidh is 'well within his rights' to express his support and solidarity for Palestinians. Mr Bisgrove continued: 'The allegations in this case are wholly different. 'It is about a video recording where Mr Og O hAnnaidh is seen wearing the flag of a proscribed group while shouting 'up Hamas , up Hezbollah'.' Brenda Campbell KC, one of his lawyers, said the defence would argue that the charge was brought after the six-month limit to bring such a charge. Og O hAnnaidh was released on unconditional bail until his next hearing on August 20. He requested an Irish language interpreter for the trial. Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring told him he must attend court on that day. He received a round of applause outside the courtroom after the short hearing. Hundreds of fans along with journalists crammed against the doors of the court building as they waited for the performer to leave. He went into a side room to speak with lawyers after the hearing. Speaking outside the court, a spokesperson for the band said: 'Over 18 countries, 100,000 fans, 80 concerts, not a single complaint. 'Around the world Kneecap are hailed as heroes for speaking truth to power. 'The truth was outed. This was a rushed prosecution following the Coachella performance where Kneecap did not shy away from speaking truth to power. 'Oppression fears the freedom of expression but the reality is Kneecap would stand up to the freedom of expresssion and they will defend their rights. Not only the rights of them but the rights of artists and people all around the world. 'And it's not new for Irish people to be prosecuted under special powers and terrorism acts. But friends, fans, family do not be afraid we are on the right side of history 'The more they come after Kneecap the louder we will get. If the British Government had any sense of history they will know they have already lost.' Advertising their upcoming gigs to the hundreds of fans outside the courtroom, Naoise O Caireallain said: 'For anybody going to Glastonbury, you can see us there at 4pm on the Saturday. 'If you can't be there we'll be on the BBC, if anybody watches the BBC. We'll be at Wembley in September But most importantly: Free, free Palestine.' Other chants outside the courtroom from supporters included: '2,4,6,8 Israel is a terrorist state'; 'Palestine '48 we don't want no two states'; 'From the belly of the beast, hands off the Middle East'; 'When Gaza is colonised, resistance is justified'; and 'When people are occupied, resistance is justified.' Ahead of Og O hAnnaidh's arrival to court, Kneecap shared a picture of the musician on Instagram showing his middle finger to the camera alongside the caption: '20 minutes away a chairde Gael'. Austrian Alexandra Kennedy, who had travelled from her home country to show support in London, said: 'I think that Kneecap are important to so many people that if Liam Og O hAnnaidh gets a heavy sentence, then maybe people will lose something, they need the connection to Kneecap.' Copywriter Victoria Ashworth and her daughter Lily travelled from their home in Brighton to attend the protest before the court hearing. Ms Ashworth, 53, said: 'I just feel like the charges are utterly ridiculous. I believe in freedom of speech. We want to be part of this to be on the right side of history. 'We have been fans of the music for quite a while.' Lily, 20, a university student, added: 'They're allowed to have their own voice and shutting them down doesn't seem fair.' She said she heard about the protest on social media and from various fan groups. Charles Parker, 35, said protesting was important to him because he believed in 'freedom of speech'. The composite engineer from Northamptonshire said: 'I believe in freedom for Palestine. I come from an Irish Republican background and Palestine helped us in the 1990s. 'We stand by those who stand by us. I have been a fan of Kneecap since I saw them in Belfast about five years ago. 'I'm open to whatever may happen. If the Metropolitan Police do anything, you've got to be ready for anything.' Police removed a pro-Israel protester who walked into the crowd wearing an Israeli flag which prompted boos, swearing and shouts of 'free Palestine'. The crowd became animated and shouted 'Israel is a terrorist state' and 'take him out for his own safety' as he made gestures and argued with protesters. Kneecap members DJ Próvaí (JJ O'Dochartaigh, left) and Móglaí Bap (Naoise O Caireallain), in front of a projection onto the Electric Ballroom in Camden, North London, yesterday Police surrounded the man as the crowd moved towards him, with protesters cheering as he was removed. The Metropolitan Police said the force had charged O hAnnaidh, who appears on the court list as Liam O'Hanna, after initially being made aware of a video from the gig at the O2 Forum which had been posted online. In a separate event shortly after the terrorism charge, O hAnnaidh could be seen in social media videos entering the stage with tape covering his mouth. The Met previously said the Belfast rap trio were under investigation after clips posted online appeared to show the band calling for the deaths of MPs and shouting 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah'. Kneecap said they have 'never supported' Hamas or Hezbollah, both of which are banned in the UK.
BreakingNews.ie
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Kneecap rapper faces charges for support of terrorist group not Palestine, court told
A member of rap group Kneecap faces criminal charges for supporting a proscribed terrorist organisation and not his support for the people of Palestine, a court heard. Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig in November last year. Advertisement Westminster Magistrates' Court heard the 27-year-old is 'well within his rights' to voice his opinions on Israel and Palestine, but the alleged incident at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London is a 'wholly different thing'. Hundreds of supporters were stationed outside court on Wednesday (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Summarising the allegations against Ó hAnnaidh, prosecutor Michael Bisgrove told the court: 'It's not about Mr Ó hAnnaidh's support for the people of Palestine or his criticism of Israel. 'He's well within his rights to voice his opinions and solidarity, as is anybody else. 'The allegation in this case is a wholly different thing and deals with a video recording showing that, in November of last year, Mr Ó hAnnaidh wore and displayed the flag of Hezbollah, a proscribed terrorist organisation, while saying 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah'. Advertisement 'Of course, support for the one is not the same as support for the other. 'So the issue in this case, and the reason it has come to court, it centres on the apparent support by Mr Ó hAnnaidh of a proscribed terrorist organisation.' Wearing a dark zip-up jacket and trousers, the defendant spoke briefly to confirm his identity at the beginning of the hearing. He was greeted by hundreds of supporters as he arrived at court on Wednesday morning alongside the other two members of the Belfast rap trio – Naoise Ó Cairealláin, and J J Ó Dochartaigh. Advertisement Ó hAnnaidh was released on unconditional bail until his next hearing at the same court on August 20th.
