PM should deal with his own unruly mob

✒ RISHI Sunak told us in his bizarre, hastily arranged ‘State of the Nation’ appeal that there is “growing consensus that mob rule is replacing democratic rule”.

I am not quite sure whose ‘consensus’ it is and how he defines ‘ mob rule’, but presumably he is having a pop at the predominantly peaceful protesters pursuing their democratic right, some would say duty, marching for an end to the carnage that is the Gaza bombardment.

I suppose Sunak’s concern covers any group this Government does not like, and the list grows daily.

Meanwhile, a major Tory party donor, Frank Hester (a donation of £10 million last year), has been caught telling colleagues “but you see Diane Abbott [Labour MP] on the TV, and you’re just like I hate, you just want to hate all black women”, and saying the MP “should be shot”.

Even our own MP, Mel Stride, has been squirming in interviews to try to minimise the power of Mr Hester’s words.

Stride describes the remarks as neither “racebased” nor “gender-based’”, although he did deign to admit they were “inappropriate”.

This is hot-foot after the inflammatory, racist rhetoric of Braverman, Jenrick and the erstwhile party vice-chairman, new poster boy for the far-right Reform Party, 30p Lee.

And to add insult to injury, Gillian Keegan, the education Secretary, said she would happily punch any Ofsted inspector who was rude to her.

When Rishi Sunak entered Downing Street as (unelected) Prime Minister a little over a year ago, he promised a Government of “integrity, professionalism and accountability at every level”.

Before Sunak blames the rest of society for his perceived increase in ‘mob rule’, I suggest he puts his own house in order, gives back Hester’s donation and takes a careful look at the unruly mob over which he presides.

Catherine Pickles Buckfastleigh