An assessment has laid bare the “increased safety risk” to three female MPs across two parties prompting an upgrade to their security. According to the Sunday Times, representatives of both the Conservative and Labour parties have been given bodyguards and chauffeur-driven cars to bolster their safety.
The unnamed MPs have been issued the close protection by private companies, a source told the newspaper, but the issue of safety goes beyond the three individuals, a source said. “Many MPs are petrified by the abuse they are facing,” a senior security source said.
The title claimed a new process has been introduced, whereby a royal and VIP committee which takes control of the security for high-profile politicians and members of the royal family, has been drafted in to look at threats to MPs.
It’s understood Tom Tugendhat, the security minister, is looking at ways to protect other MPs from threats or safety risks after Commons speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, highlighted the “growing threat to politicians from the far right.”
It’s reported this was behind his controversial decision on Wednesday to break a rule whereby he allowed Labour to table a vote during an SNP debate, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
The move was met with widespread controversey, with the SNP claiming he had broken their trust. There were also calls in the House of Commons for the Speaker to stand down from his role.
At the time, addressing MPs, Mr Hoyle said: “I will defend every member in this House. Both sides, I never ever want to go through a situation where I pick up a phone to find a friend, whatever side, has been murdered by terrorists. I also don’t want an attack on this House.”
There have been two high profile situations which have resulted in the deaths of two MPs, both male and female, in recent years. In June 2016, Labour MP Jo Cox was shot and stabbed to death outside a library in her constituency of Birstall in west Yorkshire by attacker, Thomas Mair.
The incident was described as being premeditated, with the offender uttering “Britain first” and “keep Britain independent” as he killed the MP.
Then, in 2021, Conservative MP Sir David Amess was stabbed to death at a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex by Ali Harbi Ali, an Islamic State sympathiser.
He died from multiple stab wounds to the chest after Harbi had walked into the methodist church, where the surgery was being held, disguised as an NHS employee moving to the area.
