Kemi Badenoch urges police to act without fear
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticizes punishments for public intervention at the Police Federation conference in London.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Kemi Badenoch delivered a speech at the Police Federation conference in London.
- Called for stronger support for citizens and police officers who step in to stop crimes.
- Criticized the Labour government for failing to send ministers to the conference for two years.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has spoken out against the penalties faced by individuals who intervene to do the right thing, delivering her remarks at the annual Police Federation conference in London. Stating that she was not afraid to step in, she emphasized the urgent need to provide robust backing for both ordinary citizens and law enforcement officers who take action against wrongdoing.
During her address, Badenoch highlighted the sacrifices made by police personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty. She specifically mentioned officers such as PCs Matthew Blades and Tom Clough, who tragically died in a crash on the Cleveland A66, alongside PC Andrew Harper, who was killed while investigating a quad bike theft.
"Too often these days, we fail to recognise sacrifice and service."
Kemi Badenoch
The Conservative leader also addressed controversial investigations involving police actions, including the 2022 shooting of 24-year-old Chris Kaba by Sgt Matthew Blake after Kaba attempted to ram past police vehicles. Furthermore, she directed sharp criticism toward the Labour administration for its absence from the conference, pointing out that neither the policing minister nor the Home Secretary had attended for two consecutive years.
The Police Federation conference serves as a crucial barometer for relations between the government and rank-and-file law enforcement officers in the UK. Badenoch's sharp remarks underscore the political battlegrounds surrounding crime, public safety, and institutional support for police officers, a topic that frequently divides the major British political parties.
In response to her remarks, the prime minister's official deputy spokeswoman firmly rejected the claims made by the Conservative leader. Meanwhile, the Home Office has been approached for further comment regarding ministerial attendance at the conference and the government's ongoing police recruitment pledges.
Source: BBC Politics
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