Sheerman tells MPs: I’ve had death threats
VETERAN AND HIS STAFF
TWO men have been arrested for making death threats against Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman and members of his office staff.
The veteran Labour MP, who is a high-profile Remainer, made the disclosure during a debate in the House of Commons.
MPs have been targeted in recent years as passions over Brexit have spilled over, with the abuse reaching such a level that the police felt obliged to create a special unit – called the Parliamentary Liaison and Investigations Team (PLAIT) – dedicated to dealing with “attacks” on MPs.
There is particular sensitivity over the harassment of MPs following the death of Batley and Spen MP Jo Cox, who died in 2016 after being shot and stabbed multiple times in Birstall. Mr Sheerman told the Examiner: “This has been going on for a period of time, both during and after the General Election.
“People were making these horrible threats to me and my staff including: ‘We are going to do a Jo Cox on you.’
“It was really horrible stuff and involved the use of false names. Some of my staff are young women and were very upset about it.
“I’m a seasoned MP and resilient, but it is different for them. The police were fantastic and I am really grateful for their help.”
In his House of Commons speech, Mr Sheerman said: “May I also give a plug for the quality of the work of my local police in delivering the Prevent programme and in supporting Members of Parliament?
“I have recently had some really awful death threats against me and my staff, and I have received such a level of support – not just in being effective, carrying through an investigation and arresting two people, but in phoning up and giving support day to day.”
A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “Police investigating a report of malicious communications from business premises in Huddersfield earlier this month have arrested two men as part of continuing enquiries. Two men, aged 29 and 38, were arrested on suspicion of making threats and have been released on police bail pending further investigations.”
Last year, Dewsbury Labour MP Paula Sherriff, a friend of Jo Cox, took Prime Minister Boris Johnson to task in the Commons, telling him to tone down his language in the Brexit debate.
Ms Sherriff, who lost her seatlast month, also said she had received death and rape threats.