British Conservative MP Virginia Crosbie has revealed that she wears a stab-resistant coat for meetings with constituents.
Crosbie said threats against politicians were getting worse and called for social media companies to face fines for failing to act.
Anglesey/Ynys Mon MP said many female colleagues had been targeted, adding: “Just before breakfast many of us received a threat or two.”
Early last year, Crosbie said she had reported about 30 threats, abusive emails and social media posts to police since taking office in 2019.
Asked by Gloria De Piero on GB News if the situation had improved, she replied: “No. Absolutely not. If anything, it’s even worse.”
During the interview, which aired on Sunday, Crosbie said: “I’ve been in tough situations. I have operations, I do face-to-face operations where I wear a stabbing jacket, obviously after the killing of David Amess (fellow Conservative MP). And I also have security protection. I think it is important to have direct contact with my constituents. Unfortunately, this is one of the things I have to do to make sure I can actually do the job I was elected to do.”
UK Parliament via PA Media
Crosbie said there needed to be more accountability for abusers, adding: “People can use social media with impunity.”
Twitter accounts should be checked and social media companies should be fined for not acting, he added.
Despite the risks, Crosbie said she would urge others to get into politics: “I would say please come and get involved. We need you. It’s the hardest job I’ve ever worked and the happiest I’ve ever been. It’s an opportunity to make a big difference to someone. We need more women.”
During the interview, Crosbie also discussed how he ended up dying in a car accident before going to college, adding, “I had about 10 years of surgery to put my face back together.”
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