In response to concerns for the safety of politicians, a female Tory MP has admitted to donning body armor when meeting with people.
In light of the assassination of Sir David Amess in October 2021, Virginia Crosbie disclosed that she now wears a stab vest during constituency surgeries.
Ms Crosbie, a 56-year-old mother of three, revealed that she has also employed security guards in the wake of the savage attack that resulted in Sir David’s death at a routine event held by MPs around the nation.
In addition, she lashed out at the magnitude of abuse encountered by politicians, claiming that it has only gotten worse in the months since.
She told GB News that she and other predominantly female lawmakers had received threats “even before breakfast.”
In light of the assassination of Sir David Amess in October 2021, Virginia Crosbie disclosed that she now wears a stab vest during constituency surgeries.
In December 2021, the Anglesey office of Ynys Môn representative Virginia Crosbie received a letter with a noose illustration and the phrase “hang traitors.”
Ms. Crosbie, who represents Ynys Mon in Wales, stated to the broadcaster, “I have been in challenging situations.” I perform face-to-face surgery while wearing a stab jacket, apparently in response to the murder of David Amess.
Additionally, I have security protection. I believe it is essential for me to have direct contact with my constituents. Sadly, this is one of the things I must do to ensure that I can truly do the duties for which I was elected.’
Mike Freer, the Conservative Member of Parliament for Finchley, has previously stated that he and his staff have decided to wear stab vests and carry panic alarms during constituency surgeries.
Ms. Crosbie, who was elected for the first time in December 2019, has previously discussed the threats and insults she has received.
On December 23, 2021, she got a letter with a picture of a noose and the words “hang traitors” at her Anglesey office.
She determined that neither it nor the “coward” who sent it would scare her.
Mike Freer, the Conservative Member of Parliament for Finchley, has previously stated that he and his staff have decided to wear stab vests and carry panic alarms during constituency surgeries.
She told GB News that the situation for MPs had not improved.
Absolute negation In fact, it is considerably worse. And it’s not just me – it’s a large number of other legislators, particularly women. Many of us have already gotten one or two threats before breakfast,’ she claimed.
She demanded greater “accountability” on social media.
I believe there is a great deal more we can do regarding social media and abuse. I believe there should be more responsibility.
The reality is that social media use is unrestricted. I believe Twitter accounts should be verified, there should be sanctions on Facebook, and some of these social media firms should be fined for enabling this stuff.’
Ms. Crosbie stated that she would still encourage anybody, particularly women, to enter politics.
Others have expressed concern that another politician may be murdered before the safety of lawmakers is enhanced.
James Sunderland, a member of the Conservative Party, told the Times that he was the last member of parliament to see David Amess and that he thinks Sir David and murdered Labour MP Jo Cox ‘won’t be the last’.
“Heaven forbid it happens again, but it’s a matter of when, not if, and we must do everything in our ability to be ready for it when it does.”
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