Hull MP Receives Threatening Email Over Syria Vote

Diana Johnson took to social media to reveal that she has received an email threatening MPs who vote for air strikes in Syria.

Diana Johnson MP
Published 2nd Dec 2015

Hull North MP Diana Johnson has taken to social media to reveal that she has received a threatening email over the Syria vote.

Ms Johnson posted on her Facebook page that she is "saddened" to have been sent the email from someone, who claims to be a Labour Party member, but remains anonymous.

The email threatens MPs who vote in favour of air strikes in Syria ahead of today's one-day debate in the Commons.

In the message to Diana Johnson - a member of the local Labour Party says - if the MP votes FOR bombing Islamic State targets in Syria - local members will campaign for her to be removed as an MP.

That's a process known as de-selection, and it's claimed by the person who wrote the email - that's "the least the Labour Party members will do - to try to wash the blood from their hands".

Diana Johnson points out that her party Leader - Jeremy Corbyn - who himself disagrees with the proposed airstikes - has given his MPs a free vote on the issue.

The Hull North MP said:

"I have just received the following message in my parliamentary e mail in box. Having spent the last few days consulting with local people in my constituency and considering in detail the evidence and proposals from the Government I am very saddened to have received the following message from someone who says they are a Labour Party member but not clear where from. It is important to remember that Labour MPs have a free vote and are being asked to do what they believe is right on Wednesday.

"Those Labour Party MPs who vote for the bombing of Syria the Labour Party members will be lobbied to follow the following process.

"Six months after the Vote on bombing Syria the Labour Party Members will lobby in the Constituency Labour Parties to move a vote of no confidence at constituencies meetings in those Labour Party MPs who vote to bomb Syria. If the Vote of no confidence is carried the MPs can then limp on until their selection at the next General Election when they will be deselected. During the 4 year period in the run up to the next general election the whole country will now of the no confidence in the MPs from their Labour Party constituencies. That is the least the Labour Party members will do to try to wash the blood from their hands of the innocent civilians which the bombs will surely kill."

MPs will vote tonight on airstrikes against Islamic State militants into Syria.

They'll take part in a 10-hour Commons debate later on whether to support the Prime Minister's case for extending military action.

Over 100 members from six different parties have signed up to an amendment seeking to block the bombing raids.

Jeremy Corbyn's one of those not in favour of more action, believing it'll lead to increased suffering on the ground.

While up to 50 Labour MPs are likely to back the Prime Minister in bombing Islamic State targets in the country.

Hours before the vote Labour party MPs in Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire MPs told us they were still undecided about whether to support the move.