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Starmer's Labour speech interrupted by glitter protester

UK Labour leader Keir Starmer's keynote conference speech was disrupted by a protester.

As Mr Starmer began to address the gathering in Liverpool, the heckler began shouting "true democracy is citizen-led" and threw glitter at Mr Starmer, but was swiftly removed.

The man continued to shout "politics needs an update", "we demand a people's house", "we are in crisis" and "our whole future is in jeopardy" as he was wrestled to the ground.

Mr Starmer, who has repeatedly highlighted how he has shifted the party since Jeremy Corbyn's leadership, said "protest or power, this is why we changed our party".

After removing his jacket, he said "if he thinks that bothers me, he doesn't know me", before beginning his speech with glitter on the shoulders of his white shirt.

The man is dragged away by security officials

He went on tell voters that it was "time to turn the page", saying his revamped opposition party was best placed to boost economic growth, save the public health service and hand Britain "its future back".

Mr Starmer made a pitch to voters, saying he believed in Britain and could offer the change needed to tackle a cost-of-living crisis and growing insecurity.

"I have to warn you: our way back from this will be hard," he told a packed conference hall.

He attacked UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's governing Conservative Party for kicking "the hope out of this country".

"But know this. What is broken can be repaired. What is ruined can be rebuilt. Wounds do heal.

"And ultimately that project - their project - will crash against the spirit of working people in this country. They are the source of my hope."

In an update on the protester, Merseyside Police said: "We can confirm that a 28-year-old man from Surrey has been arrested following an incident at the Labour Party conference earlier this afternoon.

"The man was detained by security at the event and handed over to the police who arrested him on suspicion of S39 assault, breach of the peace and causing public nuisance.

"He has been taken to a police station where he will be questioned by police."

Additional reporting Reuters