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'Someone asked if I would like a bullet through my head'

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'Someone asked if I would like a bullet through my head'

Source: BBC News

Worsening levels of abuse are deterring future politicians from careers in parliament, a group of MPs have warned.

 

Bradford West MP Naz Shah, Rother Valley MP Jake Richards and ex-Dewsbury MP Mark Eastwood said women received more threats and abuse than male colleagues - and it was discouraging their staff from careers in politics.

The politicians made the claims after Spen Valley MP Kim Leadbeater told Radio 4 earlier this week that the level of abuse had increased since her sister Jo Cox was murdered by a far right terrorist in 2016.

Leadbeater said the level of "abuse and nastiness in politics" then was "nowhere near what it is like now".

Richards, who worked on the prosecution of Cox's killer as a junior lawyer, said the abuse had caused members of his parliamentary staff to reconsider careers in politics, which was "pretty shocking".

He said: "We need people from all backgrounds and perspectives to get into public life and to represent us or we'll go wrong politically.

"It's not just about looking after MPs and not hurting feelings, it's about how we make our politics work better."

 

Read the full article here

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MP Naz Shah said there had been moments when she feared for her life
MP Kim Leadbeater said the level of abuse and nastiness now was worse than ever

Worsening levels of abuse are deterring future politicians from careers in parliament, a group of MPs have warned.

 

Bradford West MP Naz Shah, Rother Valley MP Jake Richards and ex-Dewsbury MP Mark Eastwood said women received more threats and abuse than male colleagues - and it was discouraging their staff from careers in politics.

The politicians made the claims after Spen Valley MP Kim Leadbeater told Radio 4 earlier this week that the level of abuse had increased since her sister Jo Cox was murdered by a far right terrorist in 2016.

Leadbeater said the level of "abuse and nastiness in politics" then was "nowhere near what it is like now".

Richards, who worked on the prosecution of Cox's killer as a junior lawyer, said the abuse had caused members of his parliamentary staff to reconsider careers in politics, which was "pretty shocking".

He said: "We need people from all backgrounds and perspectives to get into public life and to represent us or we'll go wrong politically.

"It's not just about looking after MPs and not hurting feelings, it's about how we make our politics work better."

 

Read the full article here

News
Focus areas