An MP whose workplace was hit by a suspected arson assault on Christmas eve says he wears a stab vest when going to public occasions.
Conservative MP Mike Freer informed Sky News that using stab vests amongst MPs is “sadly par for the course these days” when out in public.
His feedback got here as police proceed to research a hearth began on Christmas Eve in a shed on the MP’s workplace at Ballards Lane in Finchley, north London.
No one was within the workplace on the time of the fireplace.
Asked by Sky News presenter Nick Quraishi how unsettling the suspected arson assault was, Mr Freer stated: “Sadly it is turning into a part of the job, and it should not be.
“Too many MPs have had to cope with physical threats and sadly we’ve seen several of my colleagues lose their lives.”
Mr Freer stated he has had common security scares since turning into an MP, together with the person who assassinated Sir David Amess – Ali Harbi Ali – turning up at his workplace earlier than the homicide in 2021.
“It is difficult to take it in your stride, but it is a fundamental part of our democracy that MPs are accessible to our constituents and I wouldn’t want that to change,” Mr Freer continued.
“Unfortunately, that goes with dangers as of late. I personally, like a few of my different colleagues, put on stab vests if I do public occasions and sadly that’s par for the course as of late.
“And it shouldn’t be, but the accessibility of MPs is a fundamental part of our British democratic traditions.”
Mr Freer, whose Finchley and Golders Green constituency has a excessive Jewish inhabitants, stated the precise motive of the fireplace shouldn’t be but recognized however that it could possibly be linked to the battle within the Middle East.
“I’m hoping it is just someone with a grudge or someone with nothing better to do than cause a fire,” he stated.
“Sadly, I’ve had too many instances in the past where I’ve been attacked because of my views on the Middle East, but also many of my constituents have had similar incidents.
“It’s not an unknown incident in Golders Green. When one thing flares within the Middle East, the extent of assaults in my native space do go up.
“We’ll have to let the police do their jobs and find out what the exact motives were.”
Mr Freer says the bottom flooring and first flooring of his workplace have suffered “significant damage”, together with misplaced home windows, smoke, water and fireplace injury. Most of the workplace is totally unusable, he added.
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“It’s incredibly worrying for my staff,” he stated.
“They shouldn’t have to fear coming to work that they’re going to get attacked just because they work for an MP.”
He added that the suspected arson can be a priority for any workers who work for an MP throughout the nation.
Mr Freer informed Sky News the workplace is provided with “significant security” together with panic buttons and stab vests and that workers do background checks to make sure any members of the general public who request a gathering are constituents.
“We’ve taken all reasonable steps to ensure we’re safe and secure, while remaining accessible,” he added.
Source: information.sky.com”