Box of faeces left outside Stroud MP's office
Conservative Siobhan Baillie says these incidents make people think twice about public office
Last updated 9th Nov 2022
A box of faeces and a derogatory note was left outside the Conservative MP's constituency office.
The Gloucestershire Constabulary are now investigating alleged harassment due to the nature of the item.
The Stroud MP, Siobhan Baillie, condemned the "nastiness" stating it leaves many decent people "thinking twice about standing for public office."
In a tweet she said "There are plenty of ways to make a point about politics or governments without resorting to putting excrement in a box.
"Because of the nastiness we face, many decent people are thinking twice about standing for public office."
“I ask the good people of Stroud for help"
Adding to her tweet, in statement Ms Baillie reiterated that "It's difficult to understand the motivation."
She said “It is disgusting. We are also in the middle of town. What would have happened if a child had picked it up instead?
“I have no idea what they hope to achieve other than to try and intimidate myself and my staff. It simply will not work.
Ms Baillie went on to ask "the good people of Stroud for help.
"Please have a good look at the handwriting on the poo box. If anybody recognises it, call the police."
Previous incidents
Staff for Ms Ballie, who was elected as the MP for Stroud in 2019, said she was previously targeted after taking maternity leave for the birth of her daughter.
At the start of the pandemic in 2020, constituents wrote to her expressing their anger around the Dominic Cummings scandal and the fallout surrounding his trip from London to County Durham during a Covid lockdown.
One constituent described Ms Baillie being on maternity leave as a "dereliction of duty," with another saying, "having a baby is not an excuse for not responding to my email."
Harriet Butcher, Ms Baillie's then senior parliamentary assistant, said at the time: "Sadly, Siobhan has received unpleasant emails, the vast majority from men who seem to think the 2010 Equality Act does not apply to a woman because she is an MP.
"It does apply and Siobhan has an absolute right enshrined in law to take maternity leave.
"Presently, it is her intention to do so for a minimum of four weeks, which is considerably less than she is legally entitled to."
"We are taking this incident of harassment seriously"
In a statement Gloucestershire Constabulary said they "are investigating an allegation of harassment after an offensive item was left outside of the constituency office of Stroud MP Siobhan Baillie."
Adding, "We are taking this incident of harassment seriously and ask that anyone with information contacts Gloucestershire Constabulary".
Gloucestershire Constabulary went on to clarify that the incident was reported after 1:30pm on Wednesday 2 November.