A SOUTH Essex MP has praised a speech given by the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as he claimed extremist groups are “trying to tear us apart”.

Anna Firth, MP for Southend West, urged residents to listen to Mr Sunak’s speech on Friday.

She praised the Prime Minister and said: “We must not let our democracy be hi-jacked by extremists.”

Mr Sunak condemned the “shocking increase in extremist disruption and criminality”.

He warned that British democracy faces “intimidation, threats, and planned acts of violence”.

Ms Firth said: “Absolutely excellent speech by the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak this evening. Do have a listen.

“We absolutely must not let our democracy be hi-jacked by extremists.”

Last month, Ms Firth wrote an article in the Sunday Telegraph claiming she had “come up against attempted intimidation” in her constituency.

She added: “I was always taught to stand up to bullies, not to give in, and never, ever to let myself be intimidated.

“It is hard, though, when the threat is real, and nobody wants to admit where it is coming from.

“If you can’t name it, you can’t protect yourself from it.”