Political situation in the UK

Starmer abolishes “golden ticket” for asylum seekers

Refugees granted asylum in the UK will no longer be able to bring their family members there. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected today, at the EU summit in Copenhagen, to present plans to permanently abolish the automatic right to family reunification, according to British media.

Starmer has promised to ensure that there is no “golden ticket” to settling in the UK, writes Sky News. Instead, asylum seekers will “earn” the right to family reunification.

On Wednesday, he also announced that the government will review how British courts apply the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). This could mean that asylum seekers can be deported even if they claim they risk torture upon return.

Starmer's U-turn, which involves severe restrictions on the rights of asylum seekers, has met with harsh criticism in the UK – from human rights organisations, opposition politicians and internally within the Labour Party. 

The suspicions within the London police

New British racism scandal – police wanted to shoot immigrants

The BBC's investigative programme "Panorama" has used a hidden camera to reveal racism and misogyny among several police officers in London. Among other things, one police officer called for immigrants to be shot.

- Either shoot him in the head or deport him. And those who fuck women, rape women, you cut off their dicks and let them bleed to death.

The London police have promised to tackle "toxic behaviour" within the force, since a police officer murdered Sarah Everard in 2021. However, the new recordings indicate that racist and misogynistic attitudes have only disappeared on the surface, according to the BBC.

Eight police officers and a civilian employee have been suspended after the revelation, which has sparked strong reactions in the UK.

Several injured in knife attack at synagogue in Manchester

Four people have been injured in Manchester, UK, after a person drove a car into a crowd of people and then attacked them with a knife outside a synagogue, British media reports.

The city's mayor calls the situation "very serious", but adds that the immediate danger to the public is over.

According to the Manchester Evening News, the suspected perpetrator has been shot by police. The extent of the injuries is unclear.

Sky News writes that the first alarm was received at 09.31, local time, after a car was seen driving into several people, and that one person was stabbed.

The attack takes place at the same time as the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur is underway.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer is canceling his visit to Copenhagen due to the attack, writes the BBC.

– The fact that this occurred on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, makes it all the more horrific, says Starmer.

Starmer sends police to synagogues across the country

Police will be stationed at synagogues across the UK following the Manchester knife attack, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, according to British media.

“We will do everything we can to protect our Jewish population,” he said.

The attack comes as the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur is underway. Two people have been confirmed dead and several others have been injured. The suspected perpetrator is also said to have died after being shot by police.