David Cameron has vowed to tackle the social causes that let to riots sweeping across England and “reclaim our society”, as former prime minister Tony Blair hit back at his claims the disorder came about as a result of "moral decline".
In an article for the Sunday Express, the prime minister wrote it was time for a “stronger police presence” on the streets and to reform the welfare system.
He also called for a stronger emphasis on family and marriage and reform of the European Human Rights Act.
“So though it won’t be easy, though it will mean taking on parts of the establishment, I am determined we get a grip on the misrepresentation of human rights.”
But Tony Blair hit back at his response to the riots. Writing in the Observer, Blair said disaffected youths caused the riots, warning: "I think we are in danger of the wrong analysis leading to the wrong diagnosis, leading to the wrong prescription".
He continued: “By the end of my time as prime minister, I concluded that the solution was specific and quite different from conventional policy. We had to be prepared to intervene literally family by family and at an early stage, even before any criminality had occurred.”
Blair also cautioned Cameron that in times of crisis police felt they needed “100% support”, after a week where it was revealed 71% of the public oppose the coalition's planned cuts to police.
Their interventions came as police released more images of suspects they want to speak to about the riots. Images can be viewed at www.met.police.uk/disordersuspect.