And, as promised…

• Lib Dems: Labour must stop making excuses on a People’s Vote
• PM must back independent investigation into Qatar World Cup bid
• Home Counties knife crime rise shows crime epidemic is sweeping the UK

Lib Dems: Labour must stop making excuses on a People’s Vote

Responding to Keir Starmer’s announcement that Labour will not force a vote in favour of a People’s Vote on Tuesday, Liberal Democrat Brexit Spokesperson Tom Brake said:

Labour’s apparent belated support for a People’s Vote needs to be put to the test very soon. If not Tuesday, when? And their commitment must go hand in hand with a three line whip.

No one will be taken in by luke warm expressions of support for a People’s Vote while Jeremy Corbyn continues to allow Brexit-backing Labour MPs to help May deliver her devastating deal.

The Liberal Democrats have led the campaign for a People’s Vote for over two years. It is the only real escape route from a divisive and damaging Brexit. The Labour frontbench must stop making excuses and join us in this fight.

PM must back independent investigation into Qatar World Cup bid

Former leader of the Liberal Democrats Tim Farron MP has today demanded the UK Government lobby FIFA for an independent investigation into Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid.

It comes after The Sunday Times reported from leaked documents that Qatar secretly offered $400m to Fifa just 21 days before world football’s governing body awarded the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.

Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron said:

Revelations of bribery and foul play have yet again brought world football into disrepute. They must be shown the red card.

While FIFA point to an earlier investigation into the Qatar bid, the organisation has so far failed to restore public confidence following years of corruption.

An independent investigation is therefore the only proper action the public will accept. History, however, tells us this will not happen without pressure.

The Prime Minister must therefore instruct government ministers to urgently meet with FIFA in a bid to secure their agreement for an independent investigation.

Home Counties knife crime rise shows crime epidemic is sweeping the UK

Responding to the reports that knife crime is rising at a much steeper rate in the Home Counties and rural provinces than in London, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Ed Davey said:

England’s knife crime epidemic has infected communities far and wide outside London.

The Prime Minister’s failure to grip this herself now shames her office. In reality she should be apologising for the mistakes she made as Britain’s longest serving Home Secretary, especially her brutal cuts to police budgets.

And given some of this horrific violence has been fuelled by the county lines used by drug networks, Ministers must also reverse Mrs May’s cuts to our Border Force so we crack down on the criminal gangs behind this.

The Liberal Democrats demand better for the victims of knife crime and their families.

We need more police, significant investment in youth services and a reduction in the use of school exclusions – as part of a comprehensive public health approach to tackle the rise in violent crime.