Boris Johnson has defended the Home Secretary after she was criticised for her comments following the racial abuse players faced after the Euro2020 final.

England defender Tyrone Mings accused Priti Patel of “pretending” to be disgusted after three players were subject to racial abuse.

But the Prime Minister showed his support for Witham MP Ms Patel in responding to comments from Opposition Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer saying: “I want to reiterate my support, our support, our total support for our fantastic team and I support them in the way that they show solidarity with their friends who face racism.

“The Home Secretary has faced racism and prejudice all her career of a kind that he can never imagine, and she has taken practical steps to get black and minority officers into the police in record numbers.”

Read more >> Tyrone Mings criticises Priti Patel over response to racists abuse

Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Jadan Sancho were targeted on social media after they missed penalties in the Euro2020 final.

Mings said Priti Patel had “stoked the fire” at the beginning of the tournament by saying it was “gesture politics” for England to take the knee at the beginning of the game, something the team continued to do throughout their games.

Essex Police also reacted to the online racism yesterday.

Superintendent Richard Melton, lead for Hate Crime, Hostility and Anti-Social Behaviour, said: “We, like many people across Essex, have been horrified by the racial abuse directed at England players.

“We would like to remind our residents that racial abuse of any kind in Essex is not acceptable and will be investigated.

“Everyone has the right to live, work and socialise in Essex without fear of abuse.

“If you have suffered racial abuse or if you have witnessed racial abuse, please report it to us.”

Mr Johnson also promised to ban people guilty of sending racist abuse to footballers from attending future matches.

He said he would ensure the “football banning order regime is changed” to crack down on racism.

This is the second time he has defended Ms Patel in high profile situations after she faced allegations of bullying last year.