South Wales Police has launched an investigation after Jo Stevens, a Labour MP who abstained on the Gaza vote, had her constituency office vandalised. Stevens’ Cardiff office was daubed with red paint and posters accusing her of having “blood” on her hands. The incident occurred as a “vigil” with a former Senedd member present. Stevens called the intrusion “intimidating” and “threatening”.
Keir Starmer’s stance on the Israel-Gaza war recently caused a major rebellion in the Labour party, with 56 of his MPs voting for an immediate ceasefire. Beth Winter was the only Welsh Labour MP to support the ceasefire. The issue has divided the Labour party with ten of Stevens’ fellow frontbenchers stepping down from their roles over the vote, including eight shadow ministers.
Former Plaid Cymru MS Bethan Sayed participated in the protest peacefully and accused Stevens of failing to “hear and respect” the views of her constituents who support a ceasefire. Plaid Cymru’s three MPs voted for the ceasefire, but their parliamentary leader, Liz Saville Roberts, criticised the damage caused to Stevens’ office.
Since Israel started its counter-attack in Gaza, the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry has stated that 11,500 people have been killed and the United Nations has warned of a “humanitarian disaster”. Stevens’ office altercation follows a series of debates surrounding the party’s handling of the conflict and its recent stance on it
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