Key points
- PM stresses need to 'maintain high alert' for further unrest
- But says swift sentencing of rioters should be 'important lesson'
- Labour councillor arrested on suspicion of encouraging murder
- Farage accused of helping spread conspiracy theories
- London mayor 'astonished' by Tory leadership hopeful's comments
In depth
- Listen:How well has the PM handled riots?
- Mhari Aurora:Starmer can't be sure he's out of woods just yet
- Darren McCaffrey:Farage may struggle to have his cake and eat it
- Explained:Robert Jenrick and the Allahu Akbar row|What does 'two-tier policing' mean - and does it exist?
- UK riots latest:Follow updates on arrests and sentences
As support appears to plummet, can Farage have his cake and eat it?
Ourpolitical correspondent Darren McCaffrey has spotted some interesting polling about Nigel Farage.
According to YouGov, the Reform leader's favourability ratings have fallen since the start of the riots in the UK.
He is viewed unfavourably by every voter group in the UK except Reform backers.
This includes Leave voters - his score with them going from +7 to -4.
The proportion of 2024 Tory voters that have a negative view of him has risen from 52% to 61% - and 47% of the public believe he holds some responsibility for the rioting.
Farage under fire from multiple sides
Darren said: "I think he's trying to strike this balance between trying to lean into some of the causes potentially behind at least the protests, if not the violence, but at the same time trying to condemn them.
"The question is, can he have his cake and eat it? Can he effectively walk that fine balance?"
Mr Farage questioned the initial police response to the stabbing in Southport, accusing them of withholding information.
The Reform leader has since condemned the violence on the streets - but made allegations of "two-tier policing", claims which have been denied and criticised by the prime minister and Met Police chief.
Mel Stride, the Tory leadership hopeful, was heavily critical of Mr Farage this morning when speaking to Sky News - and it could be that more Tories come out to attack him.
It's goodnight from the Politics Hub
With yet another COBRA meeting in the bag for the prime minister, the Politics Hub is signing off for the evening.
For continued coverage of the response to the riots, including the latest arrests and court hearings, check out our dedicated blog below:
As things stand, the Politics Hub won't be running tomorrow, so any political news, reaction, and analysis relating to the unrest will be in the above blog - do follow along for the latest updates.
Thanks for joining us today, and have a good evening.
PM stresses need to 'maintain high alert'
Sir Keir Starmer has told his ministers and police chiefs they need to "maintain high alert" despite last night's anticipated wave of far-right unrest failing to materialise.
Sky News understands that was the PM's main message from tonight's COBRA meeting - his third of the week.
Sir Keir thanked the police and wider criminal justice system, saying the high levels of policing in key areas last night helped deter rioters - as did the swift sentencing of those convicted so far.
'Jewish people deserve to feel safe': PM condemns increase in UK antisemitism
The prime minister has condemned a "deeply concerning" rise in antisemitic incidents in the UK this year.
Charity CST, which is dedicated to protecting Jewish communities, reported almost 2,000 cases in the first half of 2024 - a record high.
There were at least 200 every month - something which had only happened five times prior to October 2023.
That marks the point that Hamas launched its brutal attack on Israel, which was followed by the now 10-month bombardment of Gaza.
Sir Keir Starmer thanked the CST for its work and said: "Jewish people, and all those from faith communities, deserve to feel safe on our streets.
"We will work together to eradicate discrimination of any kind."
ICYMI: Intelligence shows protests planned in coming days, policing minister warns
While last night didn't see the unrest many had feared, tonight's COBRA meeting comes ahead of what ministers fear could be days of further protests and disorder.
Sir Keir Starmer has vowed he will not "let up" so far as responding to threats from those bent on violence, and has held talks with police chiefs again this evening to discuss what could happen.
Our crime correspondent Martin Brunt has reported there are fears the new football season kicking off this weekend could spell trouble.
It comes after policing minister Dame Diana Johnson told Sky News earlier that intelligence points to more potential protests.
Read more from our political reporter Alix Culbertson👇
ICYMI: Labour councillor arrested on suspicion of encouraging murder
We've been reporting in the Politics Hub today on the arrest of a Labour councillor over comments he made at one of the counter-protests that took place around the country last night.
First came footage from the event, which appeared to show a man calling for "fascist" rioters to have their throats "cut".
Nigel Farage was among those who shared it, and called on police to arrest the man responsible.
He was named online as Dartford Labour councillor Ricky Jones, and the party moved quickly to suspend him.
We then heard from the Met Police, who said they were urgently investigating the video - and later came an arrest on suspicion of encouraging murder.
For the full story and where we've got to as of tonight, our political reporter Faye Brown has you covered👇
PM thanks police and local leaders 'for keeping communities safe'
Sir Keir Starmer was in the West Midlands earlier before returning to London for tonight's COBRA meeting.
The PM visited a mosque in Solihull, and has just put out a post on X thanking local leaders he met there - and the police - for "keeping our communities safe".
Our team have spotted cabinet ministers leaving the COBRA meeting in the last few minutes, so hopefully we'll get an update on what was discussed from Downing Street before too long.
We'll bring it to you if and when we do.
What does 'two-tier' policing mean - and does it exist?
By Faye Brown, political reporter
Metropolitan Police chief Sir Mark Rowley has knocked back claims of "two-tier policing" as "complete nonsense".
He said such claims - pedalled online by Nigel Farage and Elon Musk - put officers dealing with the ongoing riots at risk.
The phrase is used to describe the impression that some protests and demonstrations are dealt with more harshly than others.
What are the origins of 'two-tier' policing?
The term has been used to suggest police are more heavy-handed with people on the right of the political spectrum than the left.
Even before the current rioting in the UK, the idea was propagated by the likes of English Defence League founderTommy Robinson, actor-turned political activist Laurence Fox, and former ex-minister Robert Jenrick.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage summed up the sentiment when he claimed that "ever since the soft policing of the Black Lives Matter protests, the impression of two-tier policing has become widespread".
'Difference between riot and protest'
However, critics of those who have used the term say there is a clear difference between legal protests and the riots, which has seen mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers attacked, police officers hospitalised, and shops smashed and looted.
One of the strongest rebukes came from Dame Priti Patel, who was home secretary during the Black Lives Matter demonstrations in 2020.
She told Times Radio: "What we saw during the pandemic, we saw protest. We believe in free speech. We saw protests being policed.
"What we're seeing right now is thuggery and disorder and criminality. There is a complete distinction between the two."
What is the law on protests in the UK?
Protest is legal in the UK and the right to freedom of expression is also protected under the European Convention of Human Rights.
However, this only applies to peaceful protest and does not extend to any violence inflicted or damage caused during a protest.
As pointed out by Chris Hobbs, a former Special Branch officer writing for thePolice Oracle website, arrests have been made at pro-Palestinian protests when there has been suspected criminal offences, as has been the case during climate protests and BLM demonstrations.
PM hopes rapid arrests and sentences will deter more riots
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is banking on the rapid sentencing of convicted rioters putting people off committing more disorder.
There have been more arrests today - not just over the violence we've seen over the past week, but also inaccurate information about the Southport attack shared online.
False claims about the suspect helped ignite the riots.
People have been sentenced today, too - some to several years in jail.
For the latest on the response of the police and the courts, head to our dedicated live blog:
Minister won't commit to government definition of Islamophobia
The unrest of the past week has seen members of the far right target Muslim communities and mosques.
It's reignited calls for the government to adopt an official definition of Islamophobia, with the hope it could help educate sections of the public and clamp down on violence and abuse.
Rishi Sunak's government refused to adopt one, suggesting it could negatively impact freedom of speech, and instead referred to cases of "anti-Muslim hatred".
And it appears the new government won't be quick to adopt one either.
Asked directly on Sky News if it would consider one, communities minister Alex Norris danced around the question.
'Still people out there who want to cause disorder'
"Our focus is on the next few days," he said, adding there'll be "plenty of other things we can look at" when the risk of more unrest has passed.
Mr Norris said while there are "still people out there who want to cause violent disorder", the government's focus is on ensuring police "have the powers they need" and that "swift justice" can be delivered.
COBRA meeting set to start shortly
We've spotted cabinet ministers and police chiefs arriving for tonight's COBRA meeting in Whitehall.
Met boss Sir Mark Rowley and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood are among those we've seen.
The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, will discuss what happened last night and what may still be to come - the government has suggested more protests could be in the offing this week.
We'll bring you updates from the meeting whenever we can.
