Politics LIVE: Reform UK demands Labour politicians apologise for ‘siding with brutal violent gangster’ over police

Reform UK’s Richard Tice has demanded Labour politicians apologise for “defending” Chris Kaba.

Yesterday it emerged Kaba was a “core member” of one of London’s most dangerous criminal gangs and was directly linked to two shootings in the six days before he was shot dead by police.

Police marksman Martyn Blake, 40, shot the 24-year-old through the windscreen of an Audi Q8 as the he tried to ram his way past police cars on September 5 2022. Earlier this week, Blake was cleared of murder at the Old Bailey.

Officers did not know who was driving the Audi on the night Kaba died, but they did know it had been used as a getaway car in a shooting in Brixton, south London, the night before.

Now, the deputy leader of Reform UK has called for Labour MPs to apologise for “siding” with Kaba.

He wrote on social media: “Labour politicians should apologise for siding with brutal violent gangster – Thug Kaba shot at rival in nightclub just days before.

“We were misled & misinformed – tensions & protest would have been avoided if truth been told early.”

An application had been made by Kaba’s mother Helen Lumuanganu to keep a ban on revealing the details in place until after any future inquest into her son’s death. However, this was rejected after the media successfully challenged the bid.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s official spokesman said that firearms officers “deserve our and the public’s gratitude for their bravery…it is obviously crucial that the police have the ability to use their powers with legal certainty and clarity, all in balance with the public’s need to see accountability”.

Starmer insists Trump relationship not in jeopardy amid interference claims

Donald Trump”s website has announced an official complaint has been filed with US federal election officials, claiming the Labour Party had “made, and the Harris campaign has accepted, illegal foreign national contributions”.

The complaint follows reports of senior Labour officials meeting with Kamala Harris’ campaign, and Labour Party staffers volunteering on the ground for her campaign.

Asked if it was a mistake for senior staffers to have met with the Harris campaign, Starmer insisted any members of his party were in the US on an entirely voluntary basis, similar to in previous elections.

He said: “That’s what they’ve done in previous elections, is what they’re doing in this election. And that’s really straightforward.”