Senior figures in parliament are understood to believe that politicians are facing greater risks as highlighted by yesterday’s murder of Labour MP Jo Cox. This comes after the MPs expenses watchdog raised protection allowances in accordance to widespread concern among MPs for their and their staff’s personal protection. It is understood that police carry out individual risk assessments for MPs.
The murder occurred outside of her surgery, which is where MPs will be most vulnerable. Early reports indicate that the killer was in wait for Jo Cox when she left her surgery. Prior to this Labour MP Stephen Timms was non-fatally stabbed in 2010 in his surgery and in 2014 controversial former MP George Galloway was assaulted in public.
“You can’t make this job completely safe” says Gavin Barswell Conservative MP who was threatened by a man with a knife outside his constituency a few weeks ago. Many MP’s, in particular Labour MPs who voted for airstrikes in 2014 were subject to death threats and abuse to online protestors.
Women MPs are understood to be a particular risk with stalkers. An IPSA report last year highlighting risks to Members of Parliament notes that:
‘Many women stressed that if they were travelling between Westminster and their London accommodation, or back to their constituencies when it was dark, they would prefer to take a taxi as they felt it was safer. They were concerned that this was not allowed under Ipsa guidance unless it was past a specific hour, and that even then it was subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, which deterred many women from so doing.’
IPSA has more than doubled spending allowances to MPs since last year.