Keir Starmer has doubled down on his claim that the UK risks becoming an "island of strangers" despite a fierce backlash. The PM's official spokesman hit back at criticism that his words were similar to notorious Tory racist Enoch Powell. Furious campaigners and Labour backbenchers accused Mr Starmer of using "shameful and dangerous" language. But the No10 spokesman told reporters: "Absolutely, he stands behind it." It comes after Home Secretary Yvette Cooper defended the PM's controversial