
Fury as fear of mass migration branded ‘terrorist ideology' in official govt training papers
A course hosted by the anti-extremism programme Prevent lists 'cultural nationalism' as a belief that should trigger alarm.
Advertisement
2
Toby Young, head of the Free Speech Union is furious with the decision to brand concern about mass immigration as 'terrorist ideology'
Credit: PA:Press Association
It includes a view that 'Western culture is under threat from mass mig-ration and lack of integration by certain ethnic or cultural groups'.
The news has sparked fury with free speech activists, including Toby Young, head of the Free Speech Union.
In a letter to Home Secretary
The Home Office said: 'Prevent is not about restricting debate or free speech, but preventing those suscept-ible to radicalisation.'
Advertisement
It comes after 1,194 illegal migrants arrived on small boats last Saturday.
The leader of Labour's Red Wall faction said Sir Keir Starmer should consider reforming ECHR laws blamed for letting an Albanian criminal stay here due to his son not liking chicken nuggets abroad.
Backbencher Jo White said: 'We need to be looking at things like ECHR article eight.
"I don't think anything should be off the table.
Advertisement
Most read in The Sun
13 migrants jumped from the back of a lorry at a Sainsbury's distribution centre in South East London
2
1,194 illegal migrants recently arrived on small boats in one day
Credit: PA

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Strictly Come Dancing faces huge backlash over latest signing with criminal past as fans predict another year of scandal
STRICTLY Come Dancing faced a huge backlash over the latest star signing. Fans have predicted yet another year of scandal for the long-running BBC celebrity dancing competition. 6 The BBC has faced backlash for signing Thomas Skinner for Strictly Come Dancing Credit: PA 6 Many fans also came to the defence of the star Credit: INSTAGRAM/THOMAS SKINNER Advertisement 6 He's become known for his support of U.S. President Donald Trump and his VP, JD Vance Credit: Instagram The corporation recently announced that former Apprentice star Thomas Skinner will compete in the next series of Strictly Come Dancing. The star has previously been open about his previous conviction for handling stolen goods in 2011. Taking to X, he wrote: "Yes I did get arrested when I was younger, in fact I get arrested several times. Advertisement "And been charged and paid the price for my convictions. I wrote a book about it." Thomas is known for his outspoken political opinions on social media, having expressed support for President Donald Trump. He's also known for his high-profile television appearances on the likes of Good Morning Britain and Celebrity MasterChef. However, many fans were not happy with the casting choice as droves of disgruntled users took to social media to complain. Advertisement One user stated: "Right, so who in the Strictly production team signed up Thomas Skinner?!" Someone else fumed: "Amanda Abbington, Wynne Evans and now Thomas Skinner… oh #Strictly has a death wish." "I'm so serious, I loved this year's #Strictly line up but casting Thomas Skinner has completely ruined the WHOLE thing," raged someone else. Apprentice star 'gives away' he's signed up for Strictly as celeb mates and pro dancers rush to congratulate him As a fourth added: "Platforming Thomas Skinner is absolutely wild to me like take one scroll through his platform and you can see." In defence However, many fans have defended the star as they have praised the show for the casting choice. Advertisement One fan posted on X: "I am sorry guys can someone explain the real problem with Thomas Skinner being on strictly come dancing? He is real nice guy and genuine." A second stated: "I think it's great Thomas Skinner is going to be on Strictly and definitely a superb signing for common sense and decency." Yes I did get arrested when I was younger, in fact I get arrested several times. Thomas Skinner "People crying because Thomas Skinner is going to be a contestant on Strictly. He's not perfect but there are far worse people out there," noted a third fan. While a fourth commented: "I haven't watched strictly for a good few years now for many reasons.. but, I will watch to support you this year." And a fifth fan added: "Taking BOSH mainstream! Nice bit of prime time advertising there." Advertisement The Sun has approached representatives for Strictly Come Dancing and Thomas Skinner for comment. Presidential support? The signing comes just a day after the Romford lad met US Vice President JD Vance at a Cotswolds BBQ. The married dad-of-three, 34, said: 'I've tackled the boardroom and some big breakfasts in my time but stepping onto the dance floor under that glitter ball is next level stuff. 'I've never danced in my life (other than at weddings) but I'm ready to graft and of course have a laugh. 'Bring on the sequins, sambas and most importantly, the BOSH to the ballroom.' Advertisement Thomas met up with Vance after the two struck up an unlikely friendship on social media site X. He hit back at the flak yesterday, adding: "I'm not right wing. People are like sheep and just started saying it because I got invited to go to bbq with JD Vance and I posted a picture with him. "Who is gonna turn down an opportunity to meet the 2nd most powerful man in the world?" 6 Thomas Skinner first rose to fame when he competed on The Apprentice in 2019 Credit: BBC 6 He's also known for his high-profile appearances on shows such as MasterChef and Good Morning Britain Credit: BBC/Shine TV Advertisement


RTÉ News
9 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Israel announces settlement plan to 'bury' idea of Palestinian state
Israel's far-right Minister for Finance Bezalel Smotrich has announced that work will start on a long-delayed settlement to divide the West Bank and cut if off from East Jerusalem. His office said the move would "bury" the idea of a Palestinian state. The Palestinian government, allies and campaign groups condemned the scheme, calling it illegal and saying the fragmentation of territory would rip up any internationally backed peace plans for the region. Standing at the site of the planned settlement in Maale Adumim, Mr Smotrich said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump had agreed to the revival of the development, though there was no immediate confirmation from either. "Whoever in the world is trying to recognise a Palestinian state today will receive our answer on the ground. Not with documents nor with decisions or statements, but with facts. Facts of houses, facts of neighbourhoods," Mr Smotrich said. Israel froze construction plans at Maale Adumim in 2012, and again after a revival in 2020, because of objections from the US, European allies and other powers who considered the project a threat to any future peace deal with the Palestinians. The move could further isolate Israel, which has watched some of its Western allies condemn its military offensive in Gaza and announce they will recognise a Palestinian state. Palestinians fear that settlement building in the West Bank - which has sharply intensified since the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel that led to the Gaza war - will rob them of any chance to build a state of their own. In a statement, headlined "Burying the idea of a Palestinian state," Mr Smotrich's spokesperson said the minister had approved the plan to build 3,401 houses for Israeli settlers between an existing settlement in the West Bank and Jerusalem. Mr Smotrich said the plan would take effect on Wednesday. Breaking the Silence, a rights group established by former Israeli soldiers, criticised the minister, accusing him of encouraging West Bank settlement activity while the world's attention is on Gaza. This land grab and settlement expansion will not only further fragment the Palestinian territory, but will further entrench apartheid," it said. A spokesperson for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called on the United States to pressure Israel to stop settlement building. European Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper said: The EU rejects any territorial change that is not part of a political agreement between involved parties. So annexation of territory is illegal under international law". Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said the move showed that Israel "seeks to appropriate land owned by Palestinians in order to prevent a two-state solution". Qatar, which has mediated between Hamas and Israel in efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, condemned Mr Smotrich's actions as a "blatant violation of international law". Peace Now, which tracks settlement activity in the West Bank, said there were still steps needed before construction. However, if all were taken, infrastructure work could begin within a few months, and house building in about a year. "The E1 plan is deadly for the future of Israel and for any chance of achieving a peaceful two-state solution. "We are standing at the edge of an abyss, and the government is driving us forward at full speed," Peace Now said in a statement. Palestinians were already demoralised by the Israeli military campaign which has killed more than 61,000 people in Gaza, according to local health authorities, and fear Israel will ultimately push them out of that territory. About 700,000 Israeli settlers live among 2.7 million Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel annexed East Jerusalem in a move not recognised by most countries, but has not formally extended sovereignty over the West Bank. The United Nations and most world powers say settlement expansion has eroded the viability of a two-state solution by fragmenting Palestinian territory. The proposal envisages a Palestinian state in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, existing side by side with Israel. Israel cites historical and biblical ties to the area and says the settlements provide strategic depth and security. Most of the global community considers all settlements illegal under international law. Israel rejects this interpretation, saying the West Bank is "disputed" rather than "occupied" territory. In June, the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand imposed sanctions on Mr Smotrich and another far-right minister who advocates for settlement expansion, accusing both of them of repeatedly inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. Mr Smotrich's popularity has fallen in recent months with polls showing his party, which largely draws its support from settlers, would not win a single seat if parliamentary elections were held today.


Irish Examiner
10 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Starmer and Zelenskyy ‘agree strong resolve' for peace ahead of Trump-Putin talks
Keir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelenskyy have said there is 'strong resolve' for peace in Ukraine ahead of highly anticipated talks between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. The two leaders expressed cautious optimism about the prospect of a truce 'as long as Putin takes action to prove he is serious' about ending the war, as they met on Wednesday, a Downing Street statement said. In a separate statement, Mr Zelenskyy said there had been discussions about the security guarantees required to make any deal 'truly durable if the United States succeeds in pressing Russia to stop the killing'. Mr Starmer hosted the Ukrainian president for a private breakfast in No 10 on Thursday as Europe braces for the face-to-face meeting between the US president and his Russian counterpart in Alaska on Friday. European leaders are hopeful about the potential for a ceasefire after a joint call with Mr Trump on Wednesday, during which he reportedly told them his goal for the summit was to secure a ceasefire. But concerns linger over the prospect of Kyiv being excluded from negotiations over its own future, and pressured to cede territory, after the US leader suggested any agreement may need to involve 'swapping of land'. Ukraine has already rejected any proposal that would compromise its borders. In a readout of the morning meeting between Mr Starmer and Mr Zelenskyy, a Downing Street spokesman said: 'They had a private breakfast, where they discussed yesterday's meetings. 'They agreed there had been a powerful sense of unity and a strong resolve to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after their meeting at 10 Downing Street (Jordan Pettitt/PA) The Ukrainian president, who was warmly embraced by the Labour leader, with a red carpet rolled out for his arrival in Downing Street, said the meeting had been 'good' and 'productive'. But he urged the UK to join PURL- Nato's Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List initiative, to provide weapons to Kyiv. 'It is important that, within the framework of the coalition of the willing, we should all be able to achieve effective formats for security cooperation,' he said. 'We also discussed the continuation of support programs for our army and our defense industry. Under any scenario, Ukraine will maintain its strength. 'Keir and I also talked about such mechanisms for weapons supplies as the PURL programme, and I urged the UK to join.' It comes as The Times newspaper reported that Britain was planning to scale back its plans for a military peacekeeping force in Ukraine. British military chiefs are now said to be involving air reassurance over western Ukraine, training support to the Ukrainian military and the clearance of mines from the Black Sea. Further sanctions could be imposed on Russia should the Kremlin fail to engage and the UK is already working on its next package of measures targeting Moscow, he said. 'We're ready to support this, including from the plans we've already drawn up to deploy a reassurance force once hostilities have ceased,' Mr Starmer told allies on Wednesday. 'It is important to remind colleagues that we do stand ready also to increase pressure on Russia, particularly the economy, with sanctions and wider measures as may be necessary.'