Trolls threaten to ‘maim and kill’ Tory MPS

TORY MPS have received threats that online trolls will maim or kill them, ministers will be told today.

Simon Hart, a Conservative backbencher, will call for more protection for those in public office and will inform a debate in Westminster Hall that he knows of “10 tangible threats” that have been made to Conservative MPS since the beginning of this month.

Other attacks have included bricks thrown through constituency office windows and threats made over the telephone.

Mr Hart said MPS were “nervous” about coming forward about their experiences, and he feared that the number could be much higher taking into account threats to those in other parties.

He said he would call for a “more obvious statement of intent from political leaders” rather than “a muted tweet now and again”.

Chris Skidmore, a Cabinet Office minister, will tell the MPS that he has already had talks about the problem with the Electoral Commission.

He will pledge to use the evidence to inform a more considered Government response on Tuesday when MPS debate the issue in the House of Commons.

Ian Lavery, the party’s chairman, and Cat Smith, the shadow minister for voter engagement, have written to the Tory party to express their “deep dismay and concern at the vitriolic personal attacks”.

They said the threats were “disproportionately” faced by women and ethnic minority candidates.