Police guard for troll threat aimed at Syria airstrikes vote MP
LABOUR MP Stella Creasy will be given police protection today when she faces angry anti-war protesters who besieged her office as she voted for airstrikes against Islamic State in Syria.
Labour MP Stella Creasy will given police protection after she was targeted by trolls over Syria
The move comes as it emerged MPs have faced hate messages and even death threats for their support of military action last week.
One troll said she hoped Ms Creasy would be “bottled” and another taunted her with abuse saying: “Enjoy sleeping when the first child dies.”
Alarmed by the level of hatred directed towards her, Ms Creasy, 38, has had several meetings with police who are concerned that open hostility could turn into violence today.
In an effort to reduce the risk, no one living outside her constituency of Walthamstow, in north-east London, will be allowed at the meeting.
She will be protected during her meeting with residents in Walthamstow
The venue is being kept secret for the time being to try to prevent a mob of anti-war agitators living outside the area from causing trouble.
Ms Creasy said she had been asked by local police “to put in place a number of measures to ensure that this event is for Walthamstow people only”.
Anyone wishing to attend has to send her an email with their name and full address so they can be checked against the electoral roll.
She said: “I am also making an open plea to members and activists of other political parties, who have made public statements about their intentions regarding this event, not to disrupt this meeting and to enable Walthamstow residents to have this opportunity for a direct discussion with myself as their MP.”
She has had 587 emails on the bombing issue and many aggressive tweets. Chemistry student Farhia Ali tweeted: “Dumb *****, hope you get bottled in Walthamstow.”
Cyprus: British Tornados head for Syria as UK vote for airstrikes on IS
Other Labour MPs have suffered abuse from trolls for voting in favour of air strikes
Ali, 20, of Camden, north London, later tried to back down saying: “Violence is only if I said I would do it. It was a wish. It’s up to people how they interpret it. It’s not something I would physically do. I just said it.”
Other Labour MPs have had death threats after backing military action. Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk was warned in a Facebook posting that the sender would cause him “some serious damage, probably resulting in your death”.
Bermondsey and Old Southwark MP Neil Coyle revealed he had been given police protection after receiving a death threat on Twitter.
Ex-Labour MP Peter Hain said members who sent abusive messages to MPs should be kicked out of the party. He said: “I think it’s outrageous. I think it’s an expulsion offence.”