South Cambridgeshire s MP Heidi Allen has told ITV News Anglia more needs to be done to protect MPs. It comes after an exclusive investigation revealed that more than half of MPs in the east have received death threats, whilst nearly three quarters say they ve been threatened with physical violence. Mrs Allen is one of is one of 86% of MPs who told us that they have made changes to their own personal security measures since the murder of the MP Jo Cox in June.
She runs drop in surgeries in her constituency and says she now makes sure either her husband or a couple of her councillors are also present. She also carries a personal alarm and is reviewing security at her home.
86%
MPs in the Anglia region who changed their security measures after the murder of MP Jo Cox
Mrs Allen told us that the figures don t shock her but that hearing about the experiences of some of her female colleagues has done.
“I was shocked to learn that two female colleagues have had to remortgage their homes to pay for legal injunction proceedings on stalkers.
“And yet – it s part of the job! So I think there s a lot more that can be done.”
Heidi Allen MP, South Cambridgeshire MP
Jo Cox was the first sitting MP to be murdered for more than 25 years. She was killed in her constituency while she was doing her job. Last week Thomas Mair was convicted of her murder following a trial at the Old Bailey.
We spoke to staff at Mrs Allen s constituency office who told us her death made them think differently about their security arrangements.
“It wasn t something that had ever entered my head.
“Whereas now I think perhaps I should make sure the office door is locked, or letting my husband know if I m going to be working late.”
Paula Wade, Senior parliamentary assistant
Despite being aware of the risks, Heidi Allen is one of the three quarters of MPs who told us that, overall, they still feel safe at work.
We surveyed 67 MPs in the Anglia region.
Of those, 31 responded and 21 agreed to answer our questions.