Plymouth MP steps back from shadow cabinet to focus on community
Luke Pollard's decision follows the mass shooting in Keyham
Last updated 31st Aug 2021
Plymouth MP Luke Pollard is temporarily stepping back from his role as shadow environment secretary following the shootings in his constituency earlier this month.
Jake Davison, 22, killed his mother, Maxine Davison, 51, at her home in the Keyham area before going outside and shooting dead four others in a 12-minute attack on the evening of August 12.
Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, said Plymouth Sutton and Devonport MP Mr Pollard was stepping back from his shadow cabinet role "so he can support his community after the shootings'' .
He will return for the party's autumn conference in late September and, in the interim period, shadow farming minister Daniel Zeichner will lead Labour's environment team.
A Labour spokesman said: "Following the shootings in his Plymouth Sutton and Devonport constituency, Keir Starmer has agreed to a request by Luke Pollard MP to temporarily step back from his role as shadow secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs for the next month to focus on supporting the victims, their families and the wider Plymouth community.''
As well as his mother, Davison's victims included three-year-old Sophie Martyn and her father Lee, 43, who were shot dead in an attack in Biddick Drive.
Davison then shot Stephen Washington, 59, in a nearby park, before shooting Kate Shepherd, 66, on Henderson Place.
He then turned the gun on himself before armed officers reached him.