Mike Freer's constituency office was set on fire last year. He has since said he is resigning as an MP
The government faces growing calls from ministers to provide extra security for all MPs following a surge in attacks on pro-Israel politicians following the October 7 Hamas attacks and the war. in the Gaza Strip.
Rishi Sunak's parliamentary aide is among several Tory MPs targeted by pro-Palestinian protesters in their constituencies.
Earlier this week, Mike Freer, the Conservative MP for Finchley and Golders Green in north London, said that he will resign at the next election due to fears for his safety after his constituency office was set on fire.
Mr Freer, whose constituency has a large Jewish population, said he escaped the murder of Ali Harbi Ali, who later killed Sir David Amess, MP for Southend West, «by a hair's breadth».
< p>One minister told The Telegraph it was inevitable that another politician would be killed at some point and called for all 650 MPs to be given bodyguards.
“It is getting to the point that MPs, like senior Cabinet ministers, may need to personal protection,” the minister said. “Everyone knows where you go every Saturday. This is funny.”
Mike Freer will not run for re-election due to concerns for his safety. Photo: Elliott Franks
Particular concern is the safety of government officials in their constituencies, where they do not use ministerial vehicles, and the locations of local meetings are often published on the Internet.
The Telegraph understands that Craig Williams, Mr Sunak's parliamentary aide, was repeatedly confronted by protesters chanting «blood is on his hands» outside events in his Welsh constituency of Montgomeryshire.
Mr Williams, a prominent supporter The conservative group Friends of Israel, listed online as one of its officers, has spoken out openly about Israel's «right to self-defense.»
After the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7 and the start of the war, about half of Williams's meetings with local voters were directed against demonstrators who come with their hands covered in red paint and wearing masks with his face depicted.
In 2021, his local office was smashed by an intruder with a hammer, causing glass to shatter on some employees inside.
Robert Halfon, the education minister and another supporter of the conservative Friends of Israel, told police that fears physical violence after October 7
Last weekend, one Jewish MP told The Telegraph they had told staff what to do if someone tried to kill them, while another said they were no longer coming out going out alone.
Parliament is responsible for the security of deputies, but with the participation of the government. When Sir David was killed in 2021, the Home Office and parliamentary figures worked together to improve security.
Politicians can get protections such as reinforced windows, alarms and the presence of law enforcement at constituent meetings, which are often held on Fridays, if they choose. However, unlike senior Cabinet ministers, they do not have a security officer present every day.
Some MPs are resisting such moves, arguing that accessibility to constituents is important and questioning whether the moves will too burdensome.
A Downing Street spokesman said on Thursday: “The Prime Minister is extremely saddened that Minister Freer has faced such virulent hatred that he feels he can no longer serve his local community.”
>“The Prime Minister believes that serving and representing your community is a unique privilege, and making a difference in people's lives is the most rewarding work you can do.
“No elected representative deserves abuse or intimidation, and the attacks and abuse Mike Freer mentions are clearly deeply troubling. This is not just an attack on him, it is an attack on British democracy.»
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