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A teenager from Jersey who heckled the Prime Minister for his stance on supplying weapons to Israel has been praised by Reform politicians for his "strong moral compass".
Daniel Riley, a former Victoria College student and Chair of Reform Youth, heckled the Labour Party Leader about the "children of Gaza".
He was then thrown out by security, after which Sir Keir commented: "While he’s been protesting, we’ve been changing the party. That’s why we’ve got a Labour Government."
Later, Mr Riley told Sky News that his interruption of Sir Keir's speech in Liverpool on Tuesday had not been planned in advance.
He criticised the PM’s “hypocrisy” at sending “British bombs and British bullets that are being used in Gaza and Lebanon” while speaking about his wish for a ceasefire.
The Reform Youth leader said he had been compelled to stand up and shout in protest before he was bundled out.
"While he's been protesting, we've been changing the party that's why we've got a Labour government"
— Sky News (@SkyNews) September 24, 2024
A heckler stands up to interrupt Sir Keir Starmer as he draws his Labour Party Conference speech to an end
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Video: Sir Keir Starmer responds to Daniel Riley's heckle. (Sky News/X)
“He just wants things to stop but he won’t lift a finger to stop them,” Mr Riley told reporters afterwards, and he called for the complete suspension of arms sales to Israel.
The actions of Mr Riley have since drawn praise from members of Reform Jersey.
The Party's leader, Housing Minister Sam Mézec, said: “I am incredibly proud of Daniel, who showed great moral courage in speaking out to expose the fact that the British government is not doing enough to bring about an end to the conflict in the Middle East.
“Many islanders will be extremely upset by the images we are seeing almost daily, including of the now 15,000 innocent children who have been horrifically murdered.
“That Daniel could not stay silent in the face of this is testament to his strong moral compass, which he should be commended for.”
He added: “Needless to say, I absolutely echo Daniel’s comments that arms sales from Britain to a country that is currently being investigated by the ICC for genocide should be immediately suspended.
“The Prime Minister has the authority to do this, and all of those who desire a future where all Israelis and Palestinians can live together in peace under international law should support this call.”
Meanwhile, Deputy Leader and Social Security Minister Lyndsay Feltham added: "I think of it as a privilege to be able to hear directly from our Reform Youth members on a regular basis.
"They are not afraid of telling truth to power, and I respect that. Daniel is intelligent, articulate and principled."
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