Labour MPs have been offered increased security after facing direct threats from constituents over the party’s stance on Gaza.
Frontbenchers say there is a ‘real fear’ that a ‘lone wolf’ could be pushed over the edge by the continuing tensions and commit an act of terror.
At least one shadow minister has been accosted at home by a constituent demanding answers over Labour’s refusal to call for a ceasefire, The Times reported.
Yesterday the party’s chief whip, Alan Campbell, wrote to MPs acknowledging the ‘heightened security concerns’, adding: ‘I know this has been a very difficult period for colleagues and we appreciate the pressure that you are under as a leader in your community.’
A separate email from John Cryer, the party’s chairman for security and wellbeing, said MPs’ local police forces should be in contact to discuss heightened security.
The Labour leader has only gone so far as to call for ‘humanitarian pauses’ to allow aid into the besieged territory
More than four Labour frontbenchers are now on resignation watch amid fears the party could reach ‘breaking point’ over Sir Keir Starmer’s stance on Gaza.
Pressure has continued to build on the Labour leader to shift his position on the conflict, holding crisis talks with Muslim MPs on Wednesday amid reports that some were considering resigning.
Yesterday shadow minister Imran Hussain became the first frontbencher to sign a motion demanding an immediate ceasefire and an ‘end to the total siege of Gaza’.
The Early Day Motion is now signed by 39 Labour MPs, while a further six have publicly called for a ceasefire.
The Labour leader has only gone so far as to call for ‘humanitarian pauses’ to allow aid into the besieged territory. Scores of his own backbenchers are now ‘fuming’ over his unwillingness to listen.
The Labour leader has only gone so far as to call for ‘humanitarian pauses’ to allow aid into the besieged territory (Pictured: Pro-Palestinian protesters march through London)
Last night a voting sentiment survey showed Labour support among Muslim voters dropping from 71 per cent at the 2019 election to just five per cent currently
However, the divisions within the party could be greater than previously thought, with more than just four frontbenchers said to be considering their future. A senior Labour figure told the Mail: ‘There are a lot more than four frontbenchers on resignation watch after this. It’s not just the ones reported.
‘Keir can’t be complacent because he’s won a few by-elections. It’s become really tough in our constituencies – this is proving bigger than the Iraq War response.’
‘People are p****d off and really upset – most MPs feel like they got nothing from the meeting when they saw the statement after.
‘They’re asking why, after the Government have followed Labour on policy for everything else, are we now copying whatever Rishi says on Gaza,’ a source familiar with discussions said last night.
‘There will be a breaking point soon enough. And once one person goes, others will follow like dominoes.’
More than 250 councillors have written to Sir Keir to urge him to back a ceasefire, while frontbencher Yasmin Qureshi defied the leadership by asking Mr Sunak if he would back the policy during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday.
Last night a voting sentiment survey showed Labour support among Muslim voters dropping from 71 per cent at the 2019 election to just five per cent currently.
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Labour MPs are offered increased security amid terror attack fears and threats from constituents over the party’s stance on Gaza
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12678273/Labour-MPs-offered-increased-security-terror-attack-fears-threats-Gaza.html
