- [in his victory statement as newly elected Labour leader] Antisemitism has been a stain on our party. I have seen the grief that it's brought to so many Jewish communities. On behalf of the Labour Party, I am sorry. I will tear out this poison by its roots and judge success by the return of our Jewish members and those who felt that they could no longer support us. [April 2020]
- [after Boris Johnson accused him of condoning the IRA by serving in Jeremy Corbyn's shadow cabinet] I prosecuted, as Director of Public Prosecutions, serious terrorists for five years... when the Prime Minister has worked with security and intelligence forces prosecuting criminals and terrorists, he can lecture me.
- [3/11/21] Last week, the prime minister was pontificating on why the Roman empire collapsed. He notably failed to mention that one of the main factors was that the people grew tired of the arrogance and corruption of their rulers.
- [When Liz Truss failed to show for a crucial parliamentary debate] The lady's not for turning up.
- [on Gavin Williamson] Everyone in the country knows someone like the member for South Staffordshire: a sad middle-manager getting off on bullying those beneath him.
- There's been a skills shortage in this Country for decades.
- [on gender identity] For 99.9 per cent of women, it is completely biological and of course they haven't got a penis.
- [on policing] Nothing is more important, more fundamental, to a democracy like ours. The rule of law is the foundation for everything. Margaret Thatcher called it the 'first duty of government', and she was right.
- I've never worked in an environment as bad as Parliament. There are far too many stories of abuse of power. In public service, in the civil service, in the private sector, it wouldn't be tolerated. Most leaders of modern businesses are very thoughtful about their workforce, very thoughtful about what their principles and values are. Parliament needs to be catapulted into the 21st century when it comes to this.
- [asked if he might be too boring to be Prime Minister] I honestly don't meet many people who say to me, 'The answer to my problems is an entertainer.'
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