Tory Mike Freer says many MPs put on stab vests as police probe workplace assault

An MP whose workplace was focused in a suspected Christmas Eve arson assault says he now wears a stab vest after a collection of chilling threats.

Mike Freer mentioned many Members of Parliament do the identical, saying that the specter of violence “is par for the course these days”. Police are investigating a blaze on the Tory MP’s workplace in Finchley, North London, which is believed to have been began intentionally.

He mentioned that attending public occasions and surgical procedures “goes with risks”. Mr Freer, who was one of many MPs believed to have been thought of as a goal by Tory MP Sir David Amess’s assassin mentioned he is been sufferer to quite a few threats and intimidation.

He informed Sky News: “Without being blase sadly it’s become part of the job and it shouldn’t be. Too many MPs have had to cope with physical threats and sadly we’ve seen several of my colleagues losing their lives. It’s difficult to take it in your stride but it is a fundamental part of our democracy that members of Parliament are accessible to our constituents and I wouldn’t want that to change.

“Unfortunately, that goes with dangers as of late. I personally like a few of my different colleagues put on stab vests to do public occasions and sadly that’s par for the course as of late and should not be.”

Mr Freer learned during the trial of terrorist Ali Harbi Ali – who stabbed Sir David to death in 2021 – that his own office had been scoped out by the killer. He said he had twice been attacked by Muslims Against Crusades, while notes had been left on his car and mock Molotov cocktails had been found outside his office.

“There have been some low level stuff but also some quite more serious attacks on me and my office,” he mentioned. Mr Freer mentioned “all reasonable steps” had been taken to ensure he and his employees are protected however stay accessible.

Police and firefighters have been referred to as to the fireplace at round 7pm on Christmas Eve. The Met Police mentioned the fireplace occurred in a shed on the MP’s workplace.

The again of the constructing was broken within the blaze, Mr Freer mentioned, as he praised the “excellent” response from emergency providers. In a press release, the Metropolitan Police mentioned that there have been no reviews of any accidents.

“The cause of the fire is under investigation as it is believed it may have been started deliberately. Further inquiries will take place,” a Met spokesman mentioned.

Tory chairman Richard Holden condemned the suspected arson assault, calling it “utterly appalling”. “Thank goodness no-one was injured and glad I was able to speak to one of the long-standing staff members today,” he wrote.

Finchley and Golders Green Conservatives posted on X, previously generally known as Twitter, a picture of a badly broken workplace house within the aftermath of the fireplace. “During this time, responses to messages and emails might not be as prompt as usual and we ask that you bear with us as we endeavour to get back up and running as soon as we can,” it mentioned.