Veteran minister Mike Freer will step down at the election following a campaign of death threats and intimidation over his pro-Israel views.
The Justice Minister told Prime Minister Rishi Sunak today that he will step down from frontline politics following several threats and incidents, which culminated in an “arson” attack on his constituency office in December.
The MP, 63, says he feels “lucky to be alive” after narrowly escaping a confrontation with terrorist killer Ali Harbi Ali, who murdered fellow Tory MP Sir David Amess.
He said his husband Angelo had become “incredibly jittery” since it emerged that Ali had visited his Finchley and Golders Green constituency office with the intention of killing him.
Mr Freer said quitting politics would be “a real wrench”, but added: “Obviously your husband or your family’s views have to carry a lot of weight. And when someone worries that, are you going to come home at night? – you have to take that seriously.”
He said all MPs sadly had to accept a certain level of abuse as “par for the course” in modern public life. But he added: “You shouldn’t really have to think, am I going to survive the day?”
In the last decade, Sir David and Labour MP Jo Cox were both murdered in their constituencies. Labour’s Stephen Timms was stabbed by an al Qaeda sympathiser in 2010 but survived.
Mr Freer is not Jewish but believes his outspoken views on Israel and strong support for the Jewish community have led to him being targeted by antisemites.
Mr Freer, whose constituency is home to one of the largest Jewish populations in the country, says the October 7 attacks on Israel by terror group Hamas have led to an upsurge in antisemitism.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said: “This is very much driven by personal circumstances. “It is not a reflection on the Prime Minister, it is not a reflection on the Government. I still believe the Prime Minister can win.”
Paul Harwood, 42, and Zara Kasory, 32, both of no fixed address, were arrested earlier this month.
They were each charged with one count of arson with intent and appeared at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Thursday morning.
The pair were remanded in custody to appear at Harrow Crown Court on February 1.
In a letter to constituents, Mr Freer said: “Since my election as an MP in 2010, I have sadly had several serious threats to my personal safety.
“The attacks against Muslims Against Crusades, Ali Harbi Ali and the recent arson attack (where the motives remain unclear) have weighed heavily on me and my husband, Angelo. These serious incidents are alongside the many ‘low level’ incidents.
“No MP can operate effectively without the support of their spouse and wider family. Sadly the serious incidents place intolerable stress on them too.”
Mr Freer is among dozens of MPs set to stand down at the next general election, which is expected to take place in the second half of this year.
