Richard Tice has slammed a hard-left Labour MP after she sent her condolences to Chris Kaba’s family and friends, and turned fire on the media for perpetuating racist stereotypes.

Kim Johnson, a Liverpool MP, stood in the Commons today to issue a statement that appeared to sympathise with the shot gangster.

She ranted: “I would like to send my condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Chris Kaba.

“Particularly this week while the media are using racist gang tropes to justify the killing of Chris Kaba.

“Our black communities are over-policed and under-supported.”

The MP is now coming under fire following her comments, with Reform UK’s Richard Tice

He told the Express: “The reaction by some Labour politicians and groups to the acquittal has been nothing short of a two-tiered response.

“None of their statements has recognized the two years of torture that Martyn Blake and his family have gone through.

“The real focus now should be on questioning whether the CPS and IOPC are competent and fit for purpose.”

Tory MP Keiran Mullan also rejected the idea that criticism of Mr Kaba, who shot a man in a nightclub days before his death, is being driven by racist tropes.

He tweeted: “He was a gang member. Equally disgraceful for the local MP to describe him as a ‘well-loved’ member of the community.”

Political commentator Victoria Freeman added: “Why is Kim Johnson on the side of a violent criminal rather than the community he terrorised?

“Police were investigating attempted murder in crowded club in which other young people could so easily have been hurt but Johnson doesn’t give those members of the community a second thought.”

Ms Johnson’s sympathetic comments echoed a statement by the Labour leader of Lambeth Council, the area Mr Kaba was shot.

Following the acquittal of the Met Police officer, Claire Holland said it had left the community “traumatised”.

She expressed grief at the gun-toting gangster’s death, and pledged to continue holding the Met Police “to account”.

Ms Holland added: “They must change to deliver the fair and accountable policing our communities need and deserve.”

Kim Johnson’s comments were at odds with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, who this morning announced a major change that will mean officers on trial will now remain anonymous until and unless they are sentenced.

Ms Cooper said: “When officers act in the most dangerous situations on behalf of the state it is vital that those officers and their families are not put in further danger during any subsequent legal proceedings, so we will therefore introduce a presumption of anonymity for firearms officers subject to criminal trial following a police shooting in the course of their professional duties, up to the point of conviction.”

The Home Secretary also announced the legal thresholds for charging police use of force cases will be reviewed.