UK Politics

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Former home secretary Suella Braverman has told the BBC she still has the 24-hour personal protection she was given while in government because of the threats and harassment she receives.On a recent trip to a supermarket, she said people called her "a genocidal bleep" in front of her children.The government announced a £31m budget for security for politicians in February.The extra money follows the murder of MPs Jo Cox in 2016 and Sir David Amess in 2021.For the first time, all election candidates now have access to panic alarms and a named police contact to liaise with on security matters.All requests for help are assessed by the Home Office within 24 hours, according to government sources.It comes as there is a growing sense of fear among politicians about violent attacks.Ms Braverman told BBC Radio 4's The Deadly Business of Democracy that the incident at the supermarket was "aggressive, abusive and intimidatory and harassing" and she was followed to the checkouts.“It's obviously about the issue to do with Israel and Hamas.

You're a genocidal bleep'.”She said the people calling her names then phoned their friends to join in the abuse, but she was able to be insulated by her security and the situation was defused.

There’s no doubt that events in the Middle East have heightened tensions in many constituencies.One senior Labour figure said there were areas they could no longer visit, shop in or meet people because of the intensity of anger they would face.Former MP Conservative Tobias Ellwood, who is standing again at this election, told the BBC he keeps a stab vest and flak jackets in his car.Before becoming a politician he served in the Royal Green Jackets regiment of the Army and he said of his current situation: “I'm having to put on my military head again to deal with a civilian world.

It just doesn't seem right..In February, as Parliament was preparing to debate the Israel Gaza crisis, he was called by his local police force and told not to go home because there was a demonstration outside his home.Activist Corrie Drew, who helped organise the protest, says civil disobedience and direct action, as long as it’s not violent, is a way to get the conversation going.“He wasn't actually home at the time.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has been covered in milkshake and had hard objects thrown at him while campaigning.Other candidates say they'll no longer attend hustings due to fears about personal safety.Danny, a security advisor who has worked with many MPs, has nearly two decades of experience with the military and in the private sector and says that while eggs, flour and milkshakes being thrown are minor, all threats have to be taken seriously.“We can’t take any threat regardless of how small it is lightly, because it’s that time you don’t pay attention, that’s when something serious could happen.”

Those who want to continue, like Jo Stevens, regret that intimidation is changing the way that they feel they can now safely do the job.Violence directed at MPs is nothing new but speaking to those with years of experience around Westminster there’s a sense that it’s become far more widespread, almost part of the job description.As well as the threat to personal safety there are broader ramifications for our political system.

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