Farage heckled while accusing Starmer of presiding over ‘two-tier policing’

Nigel Farage, the former leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP), was heckled on Monday while accusing Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer of presiding over a "two-tier policing" system following criticism of special treatment given to anti-lockdown protesters at a vigil for Sarah Everard.

Farage was speaking at a rally in Hartlepool, where he is campaigning for the Brexit Party candidate in the upcoming by-election, when he was interrupted by a group of protesters.

The protesters, who were holding placards and chanting slogans, accused Farage of racism and xenophobia.

Farage hit back at the protesters, telling them that they were "trying to silence" him and that he would not be "intimidated".

The incident comes amid growing anger over the way in which the police have handled the recent protests against lockdown measures.

Critics have accused the police of being too heavy-handed in their treatment of the protesters, while also failing to take action against those who have flouted lockdown rules.

The row over policing has led to calls for Starmer to take action, with some Labour MPs suggesting that he should sack the Home Secretary, Priti Patel.

Starmer has said that he will be reviewing the police's handling of the protests, but he has so far resisted calls to dismiss Patel.

The by-election in Hartlepool is seen as a key test for Starmer's leadership of the Labour Party.

The seat has been held by Labour since its creation in 1974, but the party is facing a challenge from the Brexit Party, which is hoping to capitalize on the area's support for Brexit.

The by-election will be held on May 6.