Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has described the election of George Galloway in Rochdale as "beyond alarming".

He made the comments in a speech outside 10 Downing Street where he warned of a rise in extremism and criminality.

Mr Galloway won the by-election last night, Thursday, in the area where Labour had been forced to drop candidate Azhar Ali over comments suggesting Israel had allowed the October 7 attack to take place.

Mr Sunak said: “In recent weeks and months, we have seen a shocking increase in extremist disruption and criminality.

“What started as protests on our streets have descended into intimidation, threats and planned acts of violence.

“Jewish children fearful to wear their school uniform lest it reveals their identity.

"Muslim women abused in the street for the actions of a terrorist group they have no connection with.

“Now our democracy itself is a target.

"Council meetings and local events have been stormed. MPs do not feel safe in their homes.

"Long-standing parliamentary conventions have been upended because of safety concerns.

“And it’s beyond alarming that last night, the Rochdale by-election returned a candidate that dismisses the horror of what happened on October 7, who glorifies Hezbollah and is endorsed by Nick Griffin, the racist former leader of the BNP.”

In a call for unity, the Prime Minister said: "We must be prepared to stand up for our shared values in all circumstances, no matter how difficult in the face of divisions. 

"The time has now come for us all to stand together to combat the forces of division and beat this poison.

"We must face down the extremists who would tear us apart.

"If we do that, we can build on our great achievement in creating today's Britain, a country of kind decent, tolerant people."  

Mr Sunak concluded his statement by saying: "We can make this a country in which we all feel a renewed sense of pride. This is our home. 

"So let us go forward together, confident in our values and confident in our future."

"Now our democracy itself is a target," he added.

Mr Sunak was heckled by a man outside the gates of Downing Street during his public address.

The man began shouting when the Prime Minister started talking at around 5.45pm on Friday.

Earlier, Downing Street said in a statement: “The Prime Minister’s address will touch on recent events, including in Parliament last week, and the need to protect our democratic processes."

Mr Galloway said he did not understand Mr Sunak’s suggestions that he “glorifies Hezbollah” but hoped they could discuss it on Wednesday if the Prime Minister “has the guts”.

Mr Sunak said the newly-elected MP for Rochdale “dismisses the horror of what happened on October 7”, “glorifies Hezbollah” and is “endorsed by Nick Griffin, the racist former leader of the BNP”.

“I’m not responsible for whoever declares they endorse me… I’ve never met Mr Griffin and have no intention to,” Mr Galloway told Channel 5 News.

“I don’t know what the glorifying of Hezbollah is all about but maybe he can tell me on Wednesday at Prime Minister’s Questions if he’s got the guts.”

Mr Galloway added that he “abhors extremism just as much as (Mr Sunak)” and “also agreed with him when he said change can only come through the democratic process”.