Rishi Sunak vows to ‘defend our democracy’ from extremist mobs as he hauls in police chiefs

RISHI Sunak tonight hauled in police chiefs and vowed to “defend our democracy” against extremist hate mobs.

The PM and Home Secretary James Cleverly met top cops in Downing Street to discuss fresh threats of “violence and intimidation” towards MPs.

Police bosses have come under pressure to break up the recent wave of Gaza protests leaving politicians fearing for their safety.

Following the roundtable Mr Sunak said: "We simply cannot allow this pattern of increasingly violent and intimidatory behaviour.

"As far as anyone can see, it is intended to shout down free debate and stop elected representatives doing their job.

"That is simply undemocratic. I am going to do whatever it requires to protect our democracy and our values that we all hold dear.

"That is what the public expect. It is fundamental to our democratic system.

"And also it is vital for maintaining public confidence in the police."

It came as Justice Minister Mike Freer said a new government security crackdown was “missing the point”.

The Tory MP - who is standing down due to relentless anti-Israel threats - told Times Radio: “Frankly, unless you get to the root cause, then you’re just going to have a ring of steel around MPs.

"And our whole style of democracy changes.”

He also said policing needs to be more visible, adding: “Just arresting someone a week later and posting it on Twitter is not a deterrent.

“People need to see it on the spot. That’s what policing is about.”

Meanwhile Mr Sunak’s press secretary said calls by Labour MP Harriet Harman for MPs to work from home were “appalling”.