The attacks and murders in Southport over the summer were awful and left the whole nation in disbelief. My thoughts still extend to the families, neighbours, and friends of the three little girls who lost their lives, and the other children and adults who were injured in this senseless act.

 It was clear over the summer that there are those who seek to use the tragedy to promote their own agendas, to turn genuine grief into misplaced anger, and to divide us instead of uniting us.

 We must not allow anyone free rein to spread misinformation and provoke hate, and the work of organisations such as Hope Not Hate is vital in countering online hate and disinformation. I have met with representatives from Hope Not Hate at Labour Party Conference and would be open to engaging in further work with them in the future.

 I share your concern at the ease and speed that hateful narratives can be established and that this online hate so easily translates into physical violence, mobs on the streets, and attacks on the police. I feel the Prime Minister dealt with this swiftly over the summer, and the UK Government made it clear that they will not tolerate this behaviour.