Mike Freer says he will stand down at the next general election after facing death threats.
Mr Freer has described several threatening events that informed his decision, including an arson attack on his office in December 2023.
Mr Freer’s office after an attack in December 2023. CREDIT X/Finchleytories.
He says he’s lucky to be alive after avoiding a confrontation with Ali Harbi Ali in 2021, who went on to kill Southend West MP Sir David Amess.
Mr Freer has represented Finchley and Golders Green since 2010 but says he can no longer put his family through the stress.
The Conservative MP says antisemitism has played a factor in the intimidation, due to his pro-Israel views and heavily Jewish constituency.
“The dangers of social media”
Labour’s candidate for the constituency, Sarah Sackman, said she was shocked to hear the news.
“We should have been able to face each other in the polls based on ideas and merit. Instead, politics is not so often skewed by violent language, hate and the dangers of social media.”
Leader of the House, Penny Mourdant, said attacks on elected members are “attacks on democracy itself” and many members are “enduring such threats.”
Downing Street said that the “vitriolic hatred” that Mike Freer has experienced is an “attack on British Democracy.”
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HeadlineNorth London MP to step down after safety concerns
Short HeadlineNorth London MP to step down amid safety concerns
StandfirstJustice Minister, Mike Freer, will stand down after a series of death threats and arson attack.
Mike Freer says he will stand down at the next general election after facing death threats.
Mr Freer has described several threatening events that informed his decision, including an arson attack on his office in December 2023.
Mr Freer’s office after an attack in December 2023. CREDIT X/Finchleytories.
He says he’s lucky to be alive after avoiding a confrontation with Ali Harbi Ali in 2021, who went on to kill Southend West MP Sir David Amess.
Mr Freer has represented Finchley and Golders Green since 2010 but says he can no longer put his family through the stress.
The Conservative MP says antisemitism has played a factor in the intimidation, due to his pro-Israel views and heavily Jewish constituency.
“The dangers of social media”
Labour’s candidate for the constituency, Sarah Sackman, said she was shocked to hear the news.
“We should have been able to face each other in the polls based on ideas and merit. Instead, politics is not so often skewed by violent language, hate and the dangers of social media.”
Leader of the House, Penny Mourdant, said attacks on elected members are “attacks on democracy itself” and many members are “enduring such threats.”
Downing Street said that the “vitriolic hatred” that Mike Freer has experienced is an “attack on British Democracy.”
