The Labour deputy leader has outlined a ‘hardline’ approach to crime
Angela Rayner believes Britain’s terror police should “shoot first” and “ask questions second”.
Her comments come after Labour pledged to put the fight against crime at the heart of its campaign for May’s local elections.
Speaking on Matt Forde’s Political Party podcast, Labour’s deputy leader said she was on a “different page” to Jeremy Corbyn when it came to law and order.
“On things like law and order I am quite hardline. I am like, shoot your terrorists and ask questions second,” she said.
Responding to an audibly shocked live audience, Rayner added “Sorry, is that the most controversial thing I’ve ever said?”
The remarks follow the recent resignation of Metropolitan Police and Crime commissioner Cressida Dick, who amongst other things, faced public criticism for overseeing a decision to shoot dead a suspected terrorist, who was later found to have been completely innocent.
Dick was Gold Commander in charge of the July 2005 operation that wrongly identified Jean Charles de Menezes as a potential suicide bomber. She was later cleared of any wrongdoing.
Earlier this week, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer accused the Conservatives of being “soft on crime and soft on the causes of crime”.
Speaking on a visit to Sunderland on Monday with police and crime commissioner Kim McGuinness, Starmer pledged to “reverse the shocking lack of security being felt by young people and communities up and down the country as a direct result of complacent inaction by this Tory government”.
“The Tories are creating a perfect storm of failing communities that don’t feel safe, failing to tackle violent crime and failing to provide the ambition and opportunities young people need to make positive choices.
“When Labour is in power we are showing that with the right approach and investment, we can prevent crime, ensure people feel safe and secure where they live, and save taxpayer money,” he said.
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