Beefing up security
UK Members of Parliament (MPs) may be provided with bodyguards to bolster their security, according to Chancellor Rishi Sunak. The suggestion comes after Conservative minister Mike Freer announced his resignation from Parliament due to death threats and intimidation related to his pro-Israel stance.
Concerns over safety
Sunak discussed the idea of providing security guards for all MPs during an hour-long interview with Piers Morgan for TalkTV. He acknowledged the "awful" ordeal that Freer had endured and emphasized that MPs' security is constantly under review.
Addressing underlying ideology
While considering enhanced security measures, Sunak also stressed the importance of addressing the ideologies that drive such threatening behavior. He emphasized the need to tackle extremism at its root.
Threats faced by Mike Freer
Freer revealed that he and his staff had begun wearing stab vests after narrowly avoiding an attack by Islamist terrorist Ali Harbi Ali, who later killed MP Sir David Amess in 2021. Additionally, Freer received death threats from a group called Muslims Against Crusades.
Combating rising antisemitism
Sunak expressed his concern over the recent surge in antisemitism and stated that the government is allocating more funding to organizations that protect Jewish places of worship. He also mentioned discussions with the police regarding the need for additional powers to effectively handle protests.
Tough measures against lawbreakers
Sunak made it clear that individuals who break the law should face severe consequences. He emphasized the importance of holding lawbreakers accountable and having zero tolerance for such behavior.
