Closing summary
Rishi Sunak has claimed extremist groups in the UK are “trying to tear us apart”, in a hastily arranged Downing Street statement hours after George Galloway won a byelection in Rochdale.
The prime minister condemned what he called “a shocking increase in extremist disruption and criminality” after the 7 October massacre by Hamas and the Israeli invasion of Gaza.
He also claimed democracy itself was a target, as he condemned the election of Galloway, who easily won the seat in Rochdale on a platform that focused on anti-Israel sentiment over Gaza.
In a sometimes rambling and seemingly contradictory 10-minute address, Sunak made points likely to anger MPs on the right of the Conservative party such as Suella Braverman and Robert Jenrick, who have sought to frame recent tensions as almost entirely the responsibility of Islamist extremists.
This live blog is closing now.
Galloway says he does not understand claim he 'glorifies Hezbollah' and challenges Sunak to discuss it with him
George Galloway said he did not understand Rishi Sunak’s suggestions that he “glorifies Hezbollah” but hoped they could discuss it on Wednesday if the prime minister “has the guts”.
Sunak said the newly-elected MP for Rochdale “dismisses the horror of what happened on 7 October”, “glorifies Hezbollah” and is “endorsed by Nick Griffin, the racist former leader of the BNP”.
“I’m not responsible for whoever declares they endorse me … I’ve never met Mr Griffin and have no intention to,” Mr Galloway told Channel 5 News. “I don’t know what the glorifying of Hezbollah is all about but maybe he can tell me on Wednesday at Prime Minister’s Questions if he’s got the guts.”
Galloway added that he “abhors extremism just as much as [Sunak]” and “also agreed with him when he said change can only come through the democratic process”.
Updated
