Threats against female MPs having chilling effect' on women in public life, minister says

"Women and ethnic minority representatives report the highest volumes of abuse, including overtly sexualised and racially charged threats, which has a chilling effect on who feels able to stand for public office. The government announced the appointment of a deputy chief constable from Cambridgeshire police, Chris Balmer, as the National Police Chiefs' Council lead for defending democracy."

"Warning that there was an unprecedented volume of threats against elected representatives including assaults, vandalism, stalking and a blizzard of online abuse, Jarvis announced new security measures ahead of the local elections. The creation of a new threat assessment centre modelled on an existing one for MPs will be staffed by a specialist team based in counter-terrorism policing."

"Since becoming a member of this house, I have received a barrage of constant threats and death threats from the far right in my constituency and that seems to be growing, which is a real concern. A protective scheme already in place in England will be extended to representatives in the Welsh and Scottish governments."

Security minister Dan Jarvis warned of unprecedented volumes of threats against elected representatives, including assaults, vandalism, stalking, and online abuse. Women and ethnic minority representatives experience the highest levels of abuse, including sexualised and racially charged threats, which discourages them from standing for public office. The government appointed Chris Balmer as the National Police Chiefs' Council lead for defending democracy and created a new threat assessment centre staffed by counter-terrorism specialists to monitor threats against councillors and candidates. A protective scheme for MPs will be extended to representatives in Welsh and Scottish governments. MPs shared personal experiences of threats, highlighting the serious security challenges facing elected officials.

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