Starmer will not go on holiday this week amid unrest, Downing Street insists

A source close to Mr Jenrick described the rupture as “Nero-esque” – a reference to the Emperor who allegedly fiddled while Rome burned.

Sir Keir’s reported plans to take a break have been defended by one of his own MPs, who said the Prime Minister “needs family time”.

Chris Webb, Labour MP for Blackpool South, said Angela Rayner, the deputy first minister, could replace Sir Keir.

He told LBC: “Every prime minister needs to have that family time and that break, but from what I know about Keir, he will continue to work and monitor the situation wherever he is on holiday.”

The reports came after Dame Priti Patel warned the government was at risk of being swept up in events rather than keeping control of them.

The former Home Secretary said Sir Keir should call Parliament to order so that MPs from across the political spectrum could condemn the riots.

She said: “As Home Secretary, I introduced much stronger protections against disproportionate protests and disorder, despite fierce opposition.

“But it was the right thing to do and those powers must be used to their fullest extent now.

“Now is a time for reflection and national solidarity, to step back from the wave of violence we have seen, to denounce it for what it is, without fear or favour, and for Parliament to speak with one voice in condemnation.

“Either we believe in the rule of law, or we don’t. That’s why Parliament must be recalled immediately.”