Last week, Labour released an advert which accused Rishi Sunak of not wanting to jail child sex offenders.

Some – both within and outwith Labour – have accused the party of “gutter politics” and using “dog whistles”.

But Sir Keir Starmer has defended the campaign, saying he stands by “every word”.

Writing in the Daily Mail today, the Labour leader said he refuses “to just stand by or avoid calling this what it is”.

He criticised a “path of decline” that he said the economy, NHS and criminal justice system have been placed on in the last decade under the Conservatives.

A second advert was released over the weekend which said the PM did not want to jail people who had been found with firearms.

Criticisms of the campaign include the fact data was used from 2010 when the Conservatives first entered government, even though Mr Sunak did not become an MP until 2015.

It was also noted that sentencing decisions are carried out by judges, not politicians, and the role Sir Keir played as director of public prosecutions until 2013.

“Rishi Sunak and successive Tory governments have let criminals get away with it because they don’t get it,” Sir Keir wrote.

“They have never lived in those neighbourhoods, they don’t understand people’s lives, they have never walked in those shoes. I have.

“I make absolutely zero apologies for being blunt about this. I stand by every word Labour has said on the subject, no matter how squeamish it might make some feel.

“When 4,500 child abusers avoid prison, people don’t want more excuses from politicians: they want answers.”