Labour's Emily Thornberry defends Rishi Sunak attack advert

Labour's Emily Thornberry has defended a party advert which claimed Rishi Sunak did not think adults convicted of sexually assaulting children should go to prison.

The shadow attorney general insisted the prime minister was responsible for a "broken justice system".

Earlier on Friday, her colleague Lucy Powell refused to endorse the ad but said she stood by the party's campaign.

The advert has been condemned by politicians from all major parties.

Senior Tory MP Tobias Ellwood described the ad as "appalling" and claimed it threatened to undermine the democratic process.

"We should be better than this. I've called it out on my own side for stooping low and do so again now," he added.

Next to a photo and mock signature of the prime minister, the advert posted on Thursday said: "Do you think adults convicted of sexually assaulting children should go to prison? Rishi Sunak doesn't."

The caption accompanying the campaign graphic read: "Labour is the party of law and order."

Ms Thornberry was pressed on Radio 4's Any Questions if she genuinely thought Mr Sunak held these views.

She replied: "If he believes that everyone responsible for child abuse should get a custodial sentence, why are so many not getting a custodial sentence? He is the prime minister and that is a legitimate question for the opposition to ask."

Ms Thornberry did acknowledge that many people she likes and respects had criticised the advert.

"Some felt very uncomfortable about it, some thought that it was racist - and I have to say I think they are wrong.

"I think that the truth is that we do need to have a debate in this country and Rishi Sunak in this country is the Prime Minister and he is responsible for a broken justice system."

Also on the programme, Pensions Minister Laura Trott branded the ad a "desperate stunt" and called Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer a "political opportunist".

Lib Dem MP Munira Wilson said: "I was pretty disgusted by it when I saw it last night. This is not an attack ad my party would use."

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Labour's shadow culture secretary Lucy Powell repeatedly refused to endorse the advert but said: "I stand by what this tweet and this campaign is trying to highlight.

"The graphic itself, obviously, is a skit based on his own graphics that he extensively uses," she added, in a sometimes fiery exchange with BBC Breakfast's Naga Munchetty.

"I can see it's not to everybody's taste and some people won't like it."

Labour's former shadow chancellor John McDonnell was among those who criticised the approach and he urged the party to withdraw the tweet.

Former Conservative cabinet minister Rory Stewart - who served as justice minister under Theresa May's premiership - was also critical, and called for "policy not polarisation".

He said: "Is someone going to point out that this is about laws, sentencing guidelines and judicial practices? That were not and would not be different under Labour? Or talk about how even tougher sentences have overcrowded prisons":[]}