Since the horrific attacks last weekend we’ve heard the same headline message from both the government and Labour; that the UK stands with Israel, and it has the right to fight back.
Last night’s statements from the two leaders underscored the point. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “To the people of Israel, I say Britain is with you.
“What took place was an act of pure evil and Israel has every right to defend itself.”
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17:21
Cleverly: ‘Incursion into Gaza is imminent’
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‘Were you afraid when you had to run for cover?’
There was no criticism of the Israeli response – his comments were very much couched in terms of “friends talking honestly to friends”- but Mr Cleverly repeatedly stressed the UK’s commitment to international law and called for restraint and discipline from the Israeli armed forces.
He argued that he and the government share the passion of those demonstrating in London for a better life for the Palestinian people, but made the point that it is in Israel’s interest to avoid civilian casualties, as he believes Hamas’s strategyis to escalate conflict in the area into a wider war between the Muslim world and everyone else.
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Pro-Palestinian protests take place in UK
And while the SNP’s Humza Yousaf has called for a ceasefire in Gaza in order to evacuate civilians and provide humanitarian assistance, both Labour and the Tories are clear in their assurance of Israel’s right to take on Hamas in Gaza.
While Mr Cleverly said the UK would never give carte blanche to any nation, he seemed to be reassured by the “regular commitments” he had received from the Israeli leadership that their operations would be in accordance with international law.
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Gaza: Rescuers pull bodies out of rubble
Neither the foreign secretary nor his Labour counterpart questioned Israel’s right to order the evacuation of 1.1 million people from northern Gaza, despite concern from the UN that this could lead to a humanitarian catastrophe and claims that “forced displacement” would be a breach of the Geneva Convention.
In a way what was most striking about this morning’s round of interviews was the close and almost unprecedented alignment of two men normally at opposite sides of the political spectrum.
The pair even hugged when they met outside the Sky studio this morning.
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James Cleverly and David Lammy embrace
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David Lammy refused to take up Trevor Phillips’ invitation to suggest that the UK government had been slow in terms of urging restraint on the Israelis, compared to the US and France, insisting he didn’t want to be critical of James Cleverly or depart from the cross-party consensus.
While Labour are under pressure from some in the party to speak up more on behalf of Palestinian civilians, Sir Keir Starmer is determined that no one should say anything that could jeopardise his commitment to “tear out antisemitism” from the party – his pledge on taking over the leadership from Jeremy Corbyn.
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1:42
‘It breaks my heart’: Madonna on Israel-Hamas war
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0:44
Explosion on key Gaza route as civilians flee
Any UK politicians commenting on the situation must strike a fine balance.
For now, both Labour and the Conservatives are in agreement about what that line is, but the question as the conflict in Gaza continues, is how long that position can hold.
A £20,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the identification of the parents of three siblings found abandoned in London over eight years.
The Metropolitan Police said that despite more than 450 hours of CCTV being reviewed, the parents of the three children, known as Elsa, Roman and Harry, remain unidentified.
However, it is believed their mother has lived in an area of east London “over the past six years”.
Elsa was believed to be less than an hour old when she was found by a dog walker on 18 January last year, in East Ham, east London.
In the months that followed it was found that she had two siblings who were also abandoned in similar circumstances, in the same area of London, in 2017 and 2019.
On Saturday, police said the independent group Crimestoppers had offered a £20,000 reward for information passed to the charity, which will expire on 18 April.
Detective Inspector Jamie Humm, of the Met’s child abuse investigation team, said: “We have carried out extensive inquiries over the past year to try and locate Elsa’s parents.
“This has involved reviewing over 450 hours of CCTV and completing a full DNA structure of the mother.
“We have serious concerns for the wellbeing of the parents, especially the mother, and are continuing to work closely with Newham Council and appeal for the public’s help for information.
“I believe that someone in the area will have been aware of the mother’s pregnancies and that within the community there may be (or) have been concerns for this mother’s welfare.
“Thanks to the DNA work of forensic colleagues, police will be able to eliminate any unconnected person quickly and easily, as such I would ask you to contact police with confidence.”
Elsa was found wrapped in a towel in a reusable shopping bag, of which police have also released a new image, and was kept warm by the dog walker. She was uninjured.
Police said at the time that it was “highly likely” that she was born after a “concealed pregnancy”.
The BBC reported that at an initial court hearing, East London Family Court was told it took doctors three hours to record Elsa’s temperature because of the cold, and the Met Office said that temperatures dropped to as low as -4C on the night she was found.
Hospital staff named her Elsa in a reference to the character from the film Frozen.
The police investigation into the identity of the children’s parents continues, and anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or post @MetCC ref Operation Wolcott.
People can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously at any time on 0800 555 111 or via Crimestoppers-uk.org.
Fresh appeals have been made for information on what would have been the 20th birthday of Ellis Cox, who was shot dead in Liverpool last June.
A number of people have been arrested in connection with the murder at Liver Industrial Estate, but no one has been charged yet.
The 19-year-old’s family and police have paid tribute to him and called for those with information to come forward.
He was shot in the back after a confrontation between his friends and another group of up to three males on Sunday 23 June.
His mother Carolyn paid tribute in an appeal to coincide with what would have been his 20th birthday.
“He was so kind… so laid back, so calm, so mature for his age. And he was just funny. Very funny.
“He was my baby… no mum should have to bury a child. He was my life. And I don’t know what to do without him.”
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Meanwhile, his aunt Julie O’Toole said he was “the sort of person I think you’d be hard pressed to find anyone to say anything negative about. He was loyal, fiercely loyal… everything was about his family”.
To pay tribute to Ellis, Liverpool City Council will be lighting up the Cunard Building and Liverpool Town Hall in orange on Saturday.
Detective Chief Inspector Steve McGrath, the senior investigating officer, spoke about the information gathered so far, six months on from Mr Cox’s murder.
“I’m satisfied that the group that he was with was probably the target… and I would say that’s got something in relation to do with localised drug dealing in that area. But Ellis had no involvement in that whatsoever,” he said.
He added that police are looking for “really significant pieces of evidence now”, including “trying to recover the firearm that was used in relation to this, looking to recover the bikes that were used by the offenders”.
Former Manchester United and Scotland footballer Denis Law has died, at the age of 84.
In a statement, his family said: “It is with a heavy heart that we tell you our father Denis Law has sadly passed away. He fought a tough battle, but finally, he is now at peace.
“We would like to thank everyone who contributed to his wellbeing and care, past and much more recently.
“We know how much people supported and loved him and that love was always appreciated and made the difference.”
The Aberdeen-born footballer previously announced in August 2021 that he had been diagnosed with dementia.
A prolific striker, Law scored 237 goals in 404 appearances for Manchester United, for whom he signed for a then-British record transfer fee in 1962.
He is the only man to have two statues dedicated to him at Old Trafford – one on the Stretford End concourse, the other as part of the United Trinity statue overlooking the stadium’s forecourt beside fellow great George Best and Sir Bobby Charlton.
The only Scottish player to have won the Ballon d’Or award, in 1964, he was also part of United’s triumphant campaign in the 1968 European Cup – in which they became the first English club to ever win the competition.
In a statement, the club said: “Everyone at Manchester United is mourning the loss of Denis Law, the King of the Stretford End, who has passed away, aged 84.
“He will always be celebrated as one of the club’s greatest and most beloved players.
“The ultimate goalscorer, his flair, spirit and love for the game made him the hero of a generation. Our deepest condolences go out to Denis’s family and many friends. His memory will live on forever more.”
Wayne Rooney, former United captain and the club’s all-time record goalscorer, described Law as a “legend”.
“Thoughts with all Denis’s family and friends,” he said in an online post.
Another former United captain, Gary Neville, said: “A great footballer and a great man. It’s a privilege and an honour to have spent time in your company. The King of the Stretford End.”
A tribute from the Scotland national team said Law was “a true great”.
“We will not see his likes again,” it said.
Law also played for Huddersfield Town, Manchester City, and Italian club Torino during his club career, and made 55 appearances for Scotland, scoring 30 goals for his country.
Manchester City said in a post on X: “The whole of Manchester, including everyone at City, is mourning with you. Rest in peace, Denis.”