July 5, 2016 11.05 am This story is over 92 months old

Lincolnshire MP hits out after receiving threats to safety

Conservative Member of Parliament for Louth and Horncastle Victoria Atkins has spoken out after she said she received threats to her and her staff’s safety. The MP stated on her Facebook page she “will not tolerate” threats, referring to more than one recent incidents. She said: “An inevitable part of my role as your Member of Parliament…
Conservative MP for Louth and Horncastle Victoria Atkins

Conservative Member of Parliament for Louth and Horncastle Victoria Atkins has spoken out after she said she received threats to her and her staff’s safety.

The MP stated on her Facebook page she “will not tolerate” threats, referring to more than one recent incidents.

She said: “An inevitable part of my role as your Member of Parliament is increased exposure.

“Regrettably, one or two people think it is acceptable to threaten the personal safety of my staff and me.

“It is not, and I will not tolerate it. In light of recent events, like other MPs, I will report to the police any threatening and abusive correspondence via all platforms.

“I will continue to serve the people of Louth & Horncastle as I have done up until now and continue holding regular surgeries throughout the constituency.

“It has been my policy since the election to not engage in arguments on social media.

“My office and I deal with all enquiries via email, letter or phone call in the first instance, please do continue to get in touch with me through those platforms with your questions, comments and concerns.”

As reported previously, tensions surrounded the security arrangements of Lincolnshire MPs following the killing of Labour MP Jo Cox in June.

Constituency communications officer for Conservative Gainsborough MP Sir Edward Leigh Giles McNeill told The Lincolnite letters of threatening content had been send to the MP in the past.

He added: “Threats and abusive messages have increased in recent years, and I think that’s partly down to the advancement of digital communication.”