A burnt-out window at the rear of Conservative MP Mike Freer's office in Finchley, North London Photo: Dinendra Haria/LNP
MP A Conservative whose office was targeted for arson says a troll emailed him and told him he deserved to be burned alive.
Mike Freer issued a public warning about abuse and intimidation of politicians and said He said the “polarized” Gaza debate had made matters worse. He also called on Sir Keir Starmer to take “leadership” of the Labor Party, adding that Jeremy Corbyn's backbenchers were “biding their time” “.
His remarks come as Rishi Sunak expressed “concerns” about the fire, which is being investigated by police, and insists there is “no place for anti-Semitism.”
The fire broke out on Christmas Eve at Mr. on Freer, Member of Parliament for Finchley and Golders. The Green is a historically Jewish area in north London.
The Metropolitan Police said the fire spread from a nearby barn and “it is believed that it may have been started deliberately.” No arrests were made.
Mr Freer said he received anonymous online abuse after reporting the incident, including an email suggesting he deserved to be burned alive.
Police guard Mike Freer's office following a suspected arson attack on Christmas Eve. Photo: Nigel Howard
He told The Telegraph: “It said: 'I saw reports of a fire in your office. Have you ever thought that you might be the right person to set on fire?
“Certainly the level of abuse in inboxes and on doorsteps has worsened over the 13 years I have been an MP. The situation has gotten worse.”
Mr Freer is not Jewish himself but represents the large Jewish community and has often spoken out in support of Israel over the years.
He said the recent debate over Gaza, especially over whether politicians should publicly advocate a ceasefire, further exacerbated the abuses.
“Polarization isn't helpful because it feeds the inbox narrative, you're either mostly on one side or the other,” he said.
“A truce on its own doesn't solve the problem and that nuance gets lost “
Mike Freer hosts a reception on behalf of the 2017 Holocaust Remembrance Day Foundation. Photo: Elliot Franks
This argument, in particular, is being played out publicly within the Labor Party, with Mr Freer saying Sir Keir “didn't manage his debates”.
He added: “We all know when we look at the Labor Party benches. there are still Corbynistas waiting in the wings.
“The same names are still there, the same faces are still here, they have adjusted their language, but I don’t think their views have changed. has changed.”
Detectives are keeping an open mind about the motive for the arson as Mr Freer has been targeted for his political beliefs in the past.
They are believed to have identified suspects for questioning using sophisticated security systems in an office building that contains cameras.
The deputy and his staff had to adapt to growing threats to their safety by wearing body armor to public events such as surgeries in constituencies.
He has almost completely stopped using the London Underground as a precaution and is now instinctively wary of people on the street.
Mr Freer, who is also justice secretary, said the fire was “just another incident which makes us question why we took on this job.”
Fire and police visited the MP's offices in Finchley, north London, on Sunday evening Photo: Twitter/London Live
But he insisted he would not stop public events. such as constituency operations.
“We just need to take reasonable precautions because our accessibility is very important to the way our democratic process works,” he said.
“I wouldn't want to be locked in a room with security. security or personal protection, we don't do that.”
His remarks came as Mr Sunak's spokesman insisted it was “vital” that MPs can do their jobs “safely and without fear” .
Asked about the alleged arson, he said: “It's clearly a matter of concern and the Prime Minister's thoughts are now with Mike Freer and his team.”
“I'm not going to go into details. Details are pending. More broadly, we are clear that there is no place for anti-Semitism in this country.”
Scotland Yard said it hoped CCTV footage would help it understand how the fire started and identify potential dangers. suspects.
The spokesman added: “The cause of the fire is under investigation as it is believed it may have been started deliberately. There were no arrests.”
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