Dorset MP offered extra security as part of £31m to protect politicians
Home Office unveils funding, saying threats and harassment is not ‘part of the job’
MPs facing threats to their safety will get extra security, as part of a £31m package to help protect parliamentarians.
The package will fund enhanced police capabilities, provide elected politicians with a dedicated police contact to liaise with over safety issues and expand cyber security to locally elected officials.
The extra funding follows fears about MPs being targeted and intimidated by demonstrators in recent months, particularly by those demanding action to bring an end to the fighting in Gaza.
Bournemouth’s MP, Tobias Ellwood recently had his home targeted by pro-Palestine protesters with police warning his family to “stay away” from the property as “arriving through the crowd would’ve antagonised the situation”.
MP Tobias Ellwood told us: “Whilst, I had a quite a high-profile clash outside my house, I see MPs abused, threatened and intimidated on a regular basis, whether it’s online or on the street.
“No parliamentarian should have to change their lifestyles or not be able to go home because of a potential threat or harassment.”
Home Secretary James Cleverly, who made the funding announcement, will now meet with police chiefs to discuss what more can be done to improve the safety of MPs.
He said no MP should have to accept that threats or harassment is “part of the job”.
MP Tobias Ellwood added: “You do have to develop quite a tough skin in this job, there’s no doubt about it and you do expect a little bit of abuse but you don't expect that to spill over into the family domain or certainly where you live.
“What we are being tested with now is the limit in which protestors might go to make their mark.”
The government will now take measures to safeguard the people, processes and institutions upon which democracy relies.
Meanwhile suggestions have been made for politicians to return to Covid-era remote working to ensure the protection of politicians in the face of threats and intimidation.
Tobias Ellwood said: “The whole purpose of British Parliament is our openness, the ability speak your mind and rub shoulders with parliamentarians but done in a constructive way.
“What we can't do is start cocooning parliamentarians, or even councillors so they're not able to engage with the general public and the people they represent.”
He fears the animosity and abuse politicians face daily will “put people off” going into politics.
I stress good people won't step forward if they feel that they won't be protected or if they feel it’ll put their families into harms way,” Mr Ellwood said. “This won’t be good for parliament and it can't be good for government in the long-term.”