East Lancashire MPs voice safety concerns after murder of Jo Cox

The Labour MP for Batley and Spen was shot and stabbed several times after a constituency meeting on Thursday.

In the wake of the mother-of-two’s death East Lancashire’s MPs said security measures need to be reviewed after revealing they or their staff have also been attacked, received death threats and in one instance faced a man with two handguns in their constituency offices.

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson said: “In the course of doing this job over the past few years I have been verbally abused, threatened, had my car vandalised and received death threats.

“As I lay in hospital recently recovering from an operation, on social media I received messages from people wishing I was more seriously ill and that I had cancer.

“For democracy to work MPs need to be out and about and in their constituencies meeting people and hearing their views.

“The murder of the tireless and talented Jo Cox MP, a mother of two young children, while going about her public duties was a dark day in British politics and has the potential of putting off others from getting involved.”

Fears safety concerns are growing amongst the elected MP’s could lead to some fearing to visit their constituency, critics warn.

Blackburn MP Kate Hollern said: “Jo was a good friend and a real shining star. It is so tragic. Two little children are waking up without a mother.

“We have got a What’sApp group to support the 2015 MP intake and Jo was heavily involved with that.

“I think that we need to constantly review security for MPs.

“The country is in a frenzied state right now and I think individual MPs need to ensure they keep themselves and their staff safe. But I would hate to think people stop going about their constituency business as usual because of one awful event.”

Burnley MP Julie Cooper revealed she took steps to review her security after being attacked by a man in her office in Burnley.

She said: “The security of MPs does concern me.

“It concerns me that it has become acceptable to target MP with abuse for just carrying out the role of representing their constituents.

“A few months ago someone tried to attack me in my office in Burnley. He was very ill. We have improved security in the office since then.”

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans said: “My heart goes out to Jo’s family and friends. She had a heart of gold was was respected across the house. I think it is right that David Cameron said we won’t be putting anybody up in the by-election for her seat.

“All I can say is we are talking to the police to see what we can do for the security of our staff.

“I have never been personally attacked but one of my staff was threatened by a man who came in to our constituency office.”

Chorley MP Lindsay Hoyle chairs the Advisory Security Committee which is set to meet on Tuesday to discuss the issue.

He said: “My worry is not so much me because I am protected in Westminster but my staff.

“We all have different experiences and different needs.

“My own view is that MPs need to look and think long and hard about what they need and use the security packages that are available to them, their staff and their families.

“I have never been threatened myself. But shortly after I was elected a man came in to my office with to hand guns angry about the Government’s firearm proposals after Dumblane. That was surreal.”

Hyndburn and Haslingden MP Graham Jones questioned whether the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) should be responsible for MP safety or whether it should be handled by the police.

Mr Jones said: “Jo Cox was a bubbly MP who constantly bounced around with a smile on her face. She didn’t waste a moment in campaigning for the issues that mattered to her constituents.

“I have long felt that MP security needs reviewing. Some of the bile I received during the time of the Syria air strikes was unforgivable. But it’s stuff like that which leads to something more serious.

“In the discussions about MP’s safety the question now has to be whether the police take over that responsibility from IPSA.”

Darwen and Rossendale MP Jake Berry said Mrs Cox would be sadly missed and that it was shocking someone could be murdered in the service of her constituents.

He said: “It’s quite right that the security of MPs is reviewed and that all reasonable steps are taken to keep them safe.”

Former Blackburn MP Jack Straw said Mrs Cox was close friends with his son Will and he had been left devastated by her death.

Mr Straw said MP security did need reviewing but that it would be a sad day for democracy if MPs stopped meeting regularly with their constituents.

Meanwhile, local tributes are set to be paid to Mrs Cox with a vigil set to be held at The Shuttle in Leeds Road, Nelson from 6pm on Sunday.

The Union flag was also lowered at Blackburn and Darwen Town halls yesterday (FRIDAY).