MP Virginia Crosbie now wears a stab-proof vest during constituency surgeries (Picture: Wales News Service)
A Tory MP has revealed she feels the need to wear a stab-proof jacket when meeting her own constituents.
Virginia Crosbie said female MPs felt especially vulnerable following a rising tide of violent threats against politicians and the murders of Sir David Amess and Jo Cox.
The MP for Ynys Môn in north Wales is also calling for social media giants such as Twitter and Facebook to crack down on potentially-dangerous abusers.
Her fellow Conservative MP Mike Freer has previously told how he and his staff had opted to wear stab vests and carry panic alarms for constituency surgeries, after he was targeted by the man who went on to kill Sir David.
Ms Crosbie told GB News: ‘I have been in difficult situations. I have surgeries, I do face-to-face surgeries where I wear a stab jacket, obviously following the murder of David Amess.
‘And also, I have security protection as well. I think it’s important I have direct contact with my constituents.
‘And, unfortunately, this is one of the things I have to do to ensure that I can actually do the job that I was elected to do.’
She has spoken out before about receiving threats and abuse, but believes there have been no improvements for MPs.
Sir David Amess was murdered during a constituency surgery in October 2021 (Picture: PA)
Ms Crosbie went on: ‘Absolutely not. If anything, it’s even worse. And it’s not just myself – it’s a lot of other, particularly female, MPs. Even before we’ve had breakfast many of us have received one or two threats.
‘I think there’s an awful lot more that we can do in terms of social media and abuse. I think there needs to be more accountability.
‘The reality is people can turn to social media with impunity. I believe Twitter accounts should be verified, and on Facebook there needs to be fines, and there needs to be fines on some of these social media companies for allowing this content.’
Other MPs have raised concerns that another politician could be killed before the safety of parliamentarians is improved.
Conservative MP James Sunderland told the Times: ‘I was the last MP to see David Amess.
More: Trending
‘Heaven forbid it happens again, but it’s a question of when, not if, and what we have to do is do everything in our power to prepare us for those situations.’
Ali Harbi Ali, 25, was jailed for life – and given a whole life term – last April after being found guilty of murdering 69-year-old Southend West MP Sir David in October 2021.
Batley and Spen MP Ms Cox, 41, was shot and stabbed to death in June 2016 by far-right extremist Thomas Mair, who also stabbed a 77-year-old man who tried to intervene.
Jo Cox was killed by far-right extremist Thomas Mair (Picture: PA)
Mair, who shouted ‘Britain first’ while carrying out the attack, was given a whole life sentence in November 2016.
In the days following Sir David’s murder, justice secretary Dominic Raab revealed he had received threats including ‘someone threatening to throw acid over me’.
Former Labour minister Chris Bryant also told of getting an online death threat in response to a tweet urging people to send messages of kindness to their MPs.
And SNP MP Joanna Cherry revealed she considered quitting Parliament due to ‘unrelenting attacks’ made against her – and suggested elected politicians might have to return to dealing with constituents either online or by phone, as they did during the pandemic.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].
For more stories like this, check our news page.
Virginia Crosbie says female MPs feel especially vulnerable.
