Revealed: The ‘terrifying’ abuse faced by MPs
POLITICIAN REACTS TO REPORT INTO DOZENS OF DEATH THREATS AND ASSAULTS
A MANCHESTER MP has said that it ‘can be terrifying’ being a politician after it was revealed that dozens have called the police in the last year over threats made against them.
According to a report, at least 51 politicians have contacted cops since last October. Reports were made of assaults, death threats made against them, their staff and family members, and constituency offices being attacked and invaded.
The shock findings come after the killing of Conservative MP Sir David Amess while he was holding a surgery earlier this month.
Home Secretary Priti Patel has since raised the terror threat level MPs face from moderate to substantial.
Police chiefs are also urging MPs to take a range of special measures, including not travelling on public transport and enrolling in self-defence classes.
And one Northern Ireland MP, who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons, said he believes the daily precautions he has to take – including carrying a form of personal protection at all times – will soon be adopted on the mainland.
Afzal Khan, Labour MP for Gorton and Shadow Deputy Leader of the Commons, said he is not surprised by the findings.
“For many MPs sadly it’s part of the job,” he said. “It isn’t a new problem but the number of cases we’ve had to deal with has shot up.
“It can be terrifying. I have chosen to be an MP but my family and my staff haven’t. It has an effect on them and creates stress on them as well.
“Most of it is online and social media stuff, and I think the bulk of it also is linked to events generally, because they tie you into it and you see a spike around certain events.”
Mr Khan, who was with Sir David just two days before he died last Friday, was among MPs who received a suspicious package containing an anti-Islamic letter and sticky liquid in 2018.
He added: “All MPs have different experiences, they’re not all the same, but I think at the heart of it there are people who have problems in life and they take it out on their MP.
“And one of the issues is that in the case of people suffering mental health problems, the system isn’t that good at helping them.”
The Sunday People contacted all 650 MPs earlier this week to ask if they had received any threats in the past 12 months and whether they had reported them to police.
Their responses were kept anonymous and of the 56 who replied, 51 said they had called in cops.
One prominent parliamentarian said: “I have had three attacks on my office, five credible threats and all have been reported to the police.
“Most have been dealt with by caution or fixed penalties. One person was arrested and bailed this week.”
Another said: “I have been assaulted and threatened in the course of my duties.”
And a third added: “I received two death threats which were communicated directly to police.”
A Whitehall source said: “A number of security measures are being considered. It has been suggested police could be sent to guard constituency surgeries but that will be too expensive and impractical.
“There are plans to offer self-defence classes.”
Ali Harbi Ali, 25, has been charged with murder and the preparation of terrorist acts following the fatal stabbing of Sir David.