Extra security for MP who had death threats over grooming claims
Death threats undermine politics
A YORKSHIRE MP has become the latest politician to have heightened security measures introduced after receiving death threats for condemning the grooming of girls by Pakistani sex gangs.
Sarah Champion, Labour MP for Rotherham, was accused by activists of ‘industrial-scale racism’ for highlighting the ‘common ethnic heritage’ of those involved in the town’s sexual abuse scandal.
The former shadow minister for Women and Equalities hit the headlines when she spoke out after 17 men from Pakistani backgrounds were convicted of or admitted offences in a series of trials related to child sexual exploitation.
She was heavily criticised by racial justice charity Just Yorkshire, whose report prompted death threats against Miss Champion, forcing Scotland Yard’s counterterrorism unity to increase her security risk level. The number of elected representatives fearing
for their safety has gone up dramatically in the two years since Batley and Spen MP Jo Cox was murdered in June 2016.
The Yorkshire Post understands that one Yorkshire MP was recently told not to return home by police after receiving a threat, while many have had bomb-proof letterboxes installed alongside other enhanced security measures.
EVEN THOUGH there have always been occasions when politicians, and other public figures, have had to take additional security and safety steps, the current abuse being meted out to MPs, as well as their families and staff, marks a depressing new low.
The latest target is Rotherham MP Sarah Champion who is now receiving additional police protection following death threats. The reason? Some brave and hard-hitting words on her part about the prevalence of “British Pakistani men raping and exploiting white girls”.
Yet, given that Rotherham’s abuse scandal has dominated Ms Champion’s workload since she was first elected in 2012 after her predecessor, Denis MacShane, was jailed over the MPs’ expenses scandal, she’s more than qualified to make such assertions without having to fear for her life from those who hold opposing views.
However, while the issues here are specific to Rotherham, this is not an isolated incident – MPs from all parties have been at increased risk from a small section of dangerous extremists who are incapable of putting forward reasoned arguments without resorting to threats of violence.
Some will blame social media for this. Others will contend that it’s the legacy of a political class who have ignored public opinion for too long. Yet, while Britain remains polarised by Brexit’s deep divisions, it does not excuse – or justify – the current levels of vitriol and the police, backed up by the criminal justice system, must take a clear stand against those convicted of endangering public servants and others. Two years after the senseless murder of Batley & Spen MP Jo Cox was supposed to mark a turning point in the conduct of political debate, the consequence will, sadly, be fewer individuals of note, and stature, standing for election because they can’t justify the risks. Is that what the country wants and needs at this time?