Keir Starmer vows to 'fight hate in all its forms'

The building and a car parked outside the mosque were badly damaged in the blaze

Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to fight "hate in all its forms" in a statement to the House of Commons.

Addressing MPs earlier, the prime minister condemned the "despicable" attack on the mosque in Peacehaven, East Sussex, which took place on 4 October.

He told MPs: "An attack on British Muslims is also an attack on us all".

Four men - aged 22, 25, 27 and 46 - have so far been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life after the incident, Sussex Police said.

Sir Keir was speaking to MPs about increasing protection for Jewish people due to a rise in antisemitism in Britain.

He told MPs: "We will scale up the protection we provide Jewish people.

"We will set out new measures to prevent hatred... We will stop at nothing to root out anti-semitism.

"And the same applies to the arson attack on the Peacehaven mosque.

"An attack on British Muslims, is also an attack on us all. So we condemn this despicable crime and the poison of anti-Muslim hatred.

"We will fight hate in all its forms."

'Feel safe again'

Meanwhile, Chris Ward, Labour MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, has called for government funding to help pay for repairs to the mosque.

He said: "After the shocking arson attack on Peacehaven Mosque, I've called for extra funding to help the community rebuild and recover.

"We must ensure they have the resources they need to repair, reopen, and feel safe again."

The Home Office has been approached for a comment.

A fundraiser has also been set up which the mosque said would help it to rebuild.

Shortly after the attack, Khuram Kiani, a founding member of the mosque, called it an "unfortunate, terrifying, shocking" event.

He said: "I've lived here for over 30 years [and] I've never seen such an incident, it's shocking for the whole community."