The UK government has announced a £31m package to help protect the country’s democratic processes from disruption with MPs being granted extra security after facing numerous threats to their safety. The funding will also be used for additional police patrols in response to increased community tensions. Home Secretary James Cleverly is due to meet police chiefs to discuss how to better ensure the safety of MPs. The government said the funding package would be used to increase private sector security provisions for those facing greater risk and to expand cyber security advice to locally elected representatives.
There is growing concern in recent months over MPs’ safety since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak raising concerns about MPs being “verbally threatened and physically, violently targeted” in recent weeks, with “legitimate protests hijacked by extremists.” Meanwhile, a new communities fund will be established to allow extra police patrols in England and Wales, with forces able to use the fund to increase police presence in response to specific events.
Security Minister Tom Tugendhat said that there has been attempts to intimidate MPs and undermine democratic processes in recent weeks, which behaviour is a threat to democracy, and toxic for society. Following death threats and an alleged arson attack on his constituency office, Tory MP Mike Freer has announced that he will stand down at the next election. The debate over the safety of MPs was heightened after the murder of Labour’s Jo Cox in 2016 and Conservative Sir David Amess in 2021.
Changes to security measures following the 2016 murder of Jo Cox and the 2021 murder of David Amess included improved security at MPs’ homes and offices and additional private sector-delivered security where necessary. As per Home Secretary James Cleverly, the government will take every possible step to safeguard the people, processes and institutions upon which democracy relies, and the safety and security of all members of the House will be taken seriously. None of them should have to accept that enduring hate crimes, harassment, or threats is part of the job
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