Brown to “act decisively” on gang violence following Rhys Jones death

Sep 4 2007 by Deborah James, Liverpool Daily Post

GORDON BROWN pledged yesterday to make cutting off the supply of guns to inner-city gangs a top priority – as he declined to rule out a general election next month.

Returning from his summer break, the Prime Minister spoke of the “unspeakable crime” that saw 11-year-old Rhys Jones gunned down on the way home from playing football in Liverpool.

And he announced that the first of his long-promised “citizens’ juries” will meet this week, to discuss youth issues – including gang violence.

Asked about Rhys’s murder, Mr Brown said: “This was an unspeakable crime and it shocked the whole country and every parent.

“When they heard the father and mother of young Rhys Jones say they had already bought his new uniform for secondary school, and prepared the way for him to start his new school, they shared their shock.

“No parent should have to undergo the suffering that has befallen this family.”

Pledging to “act decisively”, Mr Brown said: “You will find, away from the head- lines, a lot of work has been done to identify those communities where there is a particular problem of the circulation of guns.” The first citizen’s jury, to meet in Bristol on Thursday, will bring between 12 and 20 people together to discuss youth and children’s issues.

It is certain to focus on growing concern about gang culture – epitom- ised by the shooting of Rhys in the car park of Croxteth Park’s Fir Tree pub, by a hooded youth on a BMX bike.

Meanwhile, in interviews to mark his return to his No 10 desk, Mr Brown ducked repeated challenges to rule out a general election in October. He said: “If there were to be an election, the first person I would tell is not you, it would be Her Majesty the Queen, and I have not done that.

“There will be a time and a place for these things, but it is not now. I am getting on with the business of government.”

Mr Brown, riding high in most opinion polls, also turned the screw on David Cameron by appointing three Tories to advise him.

Patrick Mercer – condemned by Labour just six months ago for alleged racist comments – will advise on security matters. And John Bercow will advise on support for children with learning difficulties.

Meanwhile, it was reported that Conservative donor Johan Elisach was considering a post advising Mr Brown on saving Congo’s rainforests.