MP gets death threats

Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson has received rape and death threats after posting on social media.

The MP posted a comment supporting Auckland Mayor Phil Goff’s decision to ban two controversial Canadian speakers from Auckland Council venues.

Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux, known for their far-Right views on a number of topics, were set to speak at Takapuna’s Bruce Mason Centre on August 3.

However, on Friday, Goff announced the pair would not be allowed to speak at publicly funded venues. He said Auckland Council venues shouldn’t be used to stir up ethnic or religious tensions.

After Davidson tweeted her support for the council’s decision, she received a range of violent threats from fans of the Canadian duo.

On Twitter, the MP said she had received death threats towards her and her children. ‘‘My skin has thickened but [I] have blocked [them] for decency. Keyboard warriors.’’

On Facebook, Davidson wrote that the vitriol was to be expected and ‘‘an indication that I’m speaking out exactly as I should be’’.

Davidson immediately deleted the threatening comments to prevent wider offence but has since recovered the offending messages to give to police.

After Southern’s visa to New Zealand was denied, Australian-based promoter, David Pellowe, of Axiomatic Events, said the pair would no longer visit New Zealand.