From the Met chief's letter to the King's Golders Green visit, Britain spends the day inside the antisemitism crisis
Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley told MPs 'British Jews are not currently safe in their capital city', citing 11 counter-terror investigations and 35 arrests over a six-week run that included the April 29 Golders Green stabbing. King Charles met two stabbing victims at the Jewish Care centre in Golders Green; Prince Harry called the rise in antisemitism 'deeply troubling' in the New Statesman. ONS put Q1 2026 growth at 0.6 percent — the G7's fastest — and Angela Rayner was cleared in an HMRC tax probe as Wes Streeting prepares a Labour leadership challenge to Keir Starmer.
Recent events
gb95Met chief tells MPs 'British Jews are not safe' in London after six-week surge in attacks
In a letter to the Commons home affairs select committee on Wednesday, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said 'British Jews are not currently safe in their capital city', citing 11 counter-terrorism investigations, 35 arrests and 10 charges off the back of a six-week run of incidents that included the April 29 Golders Green stabbing and nine arson attacks. King Charles visited the Jewish Care centre in Golders Green on Thursday to meet two of the stabbing victims and Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, with alleged attacker Essa Suleiman, 45 — referred to the Prevent counter-extremism programme in 2020 before the case was closed the same year — now charged with three counts of attempted murder. The Government has raised the UK's terror threat level from substantial to severe and the Met has stood up a 100-officer Community Protection Team, funded from an £18m slice of a £25m Whitehall package, after London logged 140 antisemitic offences in April — the highest monthly total since recording rules changed in March 2024.
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Met chief tells MPs 'British Jews are not safe' in London after six-week surge in attacks
In a letter to the Commons home affairs select committee on Wednesday, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said 'British Jews are not currently safe in their capital city', citing 11 counter-terrorism investigations, 35 arrests and 10 charges off the back of a six-week run of incidents that included the April 29 Golders Green stabbing and nine arson attacks. King Charles visited the Jewish Care centre in Golders Green on Thursday to meet two of the stabbing victims and Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, with alleged attacker Essa Suleiman, 45 — referred to the Prevent counter-extremism programme in 2020 before the case was closed the same year — now charged with three counts of attempted murder. The Government has raised the UK's terror threat level from substantial to severe and the Met has stood up a 100-officer Community Protection Team, funded from an £18m slice of a £25m Whitehall package, after London logged 140 antisemitic offences in April — the highest monthly total since recording rules changed in March 2024.
In a letter to the Commons home affairs select committee on Wednesday, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said 'British Jews are not currently safe in their capital city', citing 11 counter-terrorism investigations, 35 arrests and 10 charges off the back of a six-week run of incidents that included the April 29 Golders Green stabbing and nine arson attacks. King Charles visited the Jewish Care centre in Golders Green on Thursday to meet two of the stabbing victims and Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, with alleged attacker Essa Suleiman, 45 — referred to the Prevent counter-extremism programme in 2020 before the case was closed the same year — now charged with three counts of attempted murder. The Government has raised the UK's terror threat level from substantial to severe and the Met has stood up a 100-officer Community Protection Team, funded from an £18m slice of a £25m Whitehall package, after London logged 140 antisemitic offences in April — the highest monthly total since recording rules changed in March 2024.
gb90UK economy grows 0.6% in Q1 2026, defying Iran war impact
The UK economy grew 0.6% in the first quarter of 2026, the fastest in the G7, as March GDP rose 0.3% against forecasts of a 0.2% contraction. Chancellor Rachel Reeves cited the figures as evidence the government has “the right economic plan” and warned against “plunging the country into chaos” amid Labour leadership turmoil. Economists cautioned the war’s full effect will hit in the second quarter, with some predicting a mild recession.
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UK economy grows 0.6% in Q1 2026, defying Iran war impact
The UK economy grew 0.6% in the first quarter of 2026, the fastest in the G7, as March GDP rose 0.3% against forecasts of a 0.2% contraction. Chancellor Rachel Reeves cited the figures as evidence the government has “the right economic plan” and warned against “plunging the country into chaos” amid Labour leadership turmoil. Economists cautioned the war’s full effect will hit in the second quarter, with some predicting a mild recession.
The UK economy grew 0.6% in the first quarter of 2026, the fastest in the G7, as March GDP rose 0.3% against forecasts of a 0.2% contraction. Chancellor Rachel Reeves cited the figures as evidence the government has “the right economic plan” and warned against “plunging the country into chaos” amid Labour leadership turmoil. Economists cautioned the war’s full effect will hit in the second quarter, with some predicting a mild recession.
gb85King Charles III Visits Golders Green Stabbing Victims, Voices Concern Over Rising Antisemitism
King Charles III visited Golders Green on Thursday to meet victims of the April 29 stabbings, including Shloime Rand, 34, and Moshe Shine, 76, at a Jewish Care charity centre. The King told well-wishers "it's a dangerous world isn't it?" and expressed concern about rising antisemitism. Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said the visit was "appreciated enormously."
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King Charles III Visits Golders Green Stabbing Victims, Voices Concern Over Rising Antisemitism
King Charles III visited Golders Green on Thursday to meet victims of the April 29 stabbings, including Shloime Rand, 34, and Moshe Shine, 76, at a Jewish Care charity centre. The King told well-wishers "it's a dangerous world isn't it?" and expressed concern about rising antisemitism. Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said the visit was "appreciated enormously."
King Charles III visited Golders Green on Thursday to meet victims of the April 29 stabbings, including Shloime Rand, 34, and Moshe Shine, 76, at a Jewish Care charity centre. The King told well-wishers "it's a dangerous world isn't it?" and expressed concern about rising antisemitism. Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said the visit was "appreciated enormously."
gb75Angela Rayner cleared in HMRC tax probe, removing hurdle to Labour leadership bid
Former UK deputy prime minister Angela Rayner has been cleared of wrongdoing by HMRC following an investigation into unpaid property tax, she told the Guardian and ITV News. The probe, launched last fall, had prompted her resignation as deputy leader. The clearance removes a potential obstacle as Health Secretary Wes Streeting is expected to launch a leadership challenge against Prime Minister Keir Starmer as soon as Thursday.
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Angela Rayner cleared in HMRC tax probe, removing hurdle to Labour leadership bid
Former UK deputy prime minister Angela Rayner has been cleared of wrongdoing by HMRC following an investigation into unpaid property tax, she told the Guardian and ITV News. The probe, launched last fall, had prompted her resignation as deputy leader. The clearance removes a potential obstacle as Health Secretary Wes Streeting is expected to launch a leadership challenge against Prime Minister Keir Starmer as soon as Thursday.
Former UK deputy prime minister Angela Rayner has been cleared of wrongdoing by HMRC following an investigation into unpaid property tax, she told the Guardian and ITV News. The probe, launched last fall, had prompted her resignation as deputy leader. The clearance removes a potential obstacle as Health Secretary Wes Streeting is expected to launch a leadership challenge against Prime Minister Keir Starmer as soon as Thursday.
gb40Prince Harry warns of 'deeply troubling' rise in antisemitism in UK
Prince Harry published an opinion piece in the New Statesman warning of a 'deeply troubling' rise in antisemitism in the UK, citing recent attacks on Jewish sites and the stabbing of two Jewish men in London. He distinguished legitimate protest against Israeli state actions from hostility toward Jewish communities, and called for unity against both antisemitism and anti-Muslim hate. The article comes amid heightened tensions over pro-Palestinian protests and government scrutiny of antisemitic activity.
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Prince Harry warns of 'deeply troubling' rise in antisemitism in UK
Prince Harry published an opinion piece in the New Statesman warning of a 'deeply troubling' rise in antisemitism in the UK, citing recent attacks on Jewish sites and the stabbing of two Jewish men in London. He distinguished legitimate protest against Israeli state actions from hostility toward Jewish communities, and called for unity against both antisemitism and anti-Muslim hate. The article comes amid heightened tensions over pro-Palestinian protests and government scrutiny of antisemitic activity.
Prince Harry published an opinion piece in the New Statesman warning of a 'deeply troubling' rise in antisemitism in the UK, citing recent attacks on Jewish sites and the stabbing of two Jewish men in London. He distinguished legitimate protest against Israeli state actions from hostility toward Jewish communities, and called for unity against both antisemitism and anti-Muslim hate. The article comes amid heightened tensions over pro-Palestinian protests and government scrutiny of antisemitic activity.
gb36Man convicted of attempted murder of police officers in Northern Ireland bomb attack
Charlie Love, 31, was found guilty at Belfast Crown Court of attempting to kill two police officers in a dissident republican bomb attack in Strabane in November 2022. The non-jury trial concluded Love was intimately involved in planning and executing the attack, which involved an improvised explosive device placed at the roadside. His DNA was found on the trigger mechanism and command wire. He was also convicted of causing an explosion likely to endanger life and possessing explosives with intent. Co-accused Symone Murphy was acquitted of withholding information.
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Man convicted of attempted murder of police officers in Northern Ireland bomb attack
Charlie Love, 31, was found guilty at Belfast Crown Court of attempting to kill two police officers in a dissident republican bomb attack in Strabane in November 2022. The non-jury trial concluded Love was intimately involved in planning and executing the attack, which involved an improvised explosive device placed at the roadside. His DNA was found on the trigger mechanism and command wire. He was also convicted of causing an explosion likely to endanger life and possessing explosives with intent. Co-accused Symone Murphy was acquitted of withholding information.
Charlie Love, 31, was found guilty at Belfast Crown Court of attempting to kill two police officers in a dissident republican bomb attack in Strabane in November 2022. The non-jury trial concluded Love was intimately involved in planning and executing the attack, which involved an improvised explosive device placed at the roadside. His DNA was found on the trigger mechanism and command wire. He was also convicted of causing an explosion likely to endanger life and possessing explosives with intent. Co-accused Symone Murphy was acquitted of withholding information.
gb35Former imam sentenced to life for sexual assaults on women and girls
Abdul Halim Khan, 54, a former imam in east London, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 20 years for 21 counts of rape, sexual assault, and child sexual offences against seven victims between 2005 and 2014. The judge noted Khan's abuse of religious authority to target the Bangladeshi Muslim community, using threats of black magic to silence victims. The case highlights the exploitation of faith for sexual crimes.
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Former imam sentenced to life for sexual assaults on women and girls
Abdul Halim Khan, 54, a former imam in east London, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 20 years for 21 counts of rape, sexual assault, and child sexual offences against seven victims between 2005 and 2014. The judge noted Khan's abuse of religious authority to target the Bangladeshi Muslim community, using threats of black magic to silence victims. The case highlights the exploitation of faith for sexual crimes.
Abdul Halim Khan, 54, a former imam in east London, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 20 years for 21 counts of rape, sexual assault, and child sexual offences against seven victims between 2005 and 2014. The judge noted Khan's abuse of religious authority to target the Bangladeshi Muslim community, using threats of black magic to silence victims. The case highlights the exploitation of faith for sexual crimes.
gb33NHS hospitals in England achieve key waiting time target, boosting Health Secretary Wes Streeting
NHS hospitals in England have met a critical waiting time target, marking a significant milestone in reducing healthcare backlogs. This development provides a political boost for Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who has prioritized tackling long wait times. The achievement signals progress in the government's efforts to improve NHS performance and patient access to care.
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NHS hospitals in England achieve key waiting time target, boosting Health Secretary Wes Streeting
NHS hospitals in England have met a critical waiting time target, marking a significant milestone in reducing healthcare backlogs. This development provides a political boost for Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who has prioritized tackling long wait times. The achievement signals progress in the government's efforts to improve NHS performance and patient access to care.
NHS hospitals in England have met a critical waiting time target, marking a significant milestone in reducing healthcare backlogs. This development provides a political boost for Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who has prioritized tackling long wait times. The achievement signals progress in the government's efforts to improve NHS performance and patient access to care.