MPs allowed to expense taxis to Parliament amid spike in abuse and threats from protestors
MPs will temporarily be able to expense cabs from their London homes to Parliament to avoid abusive protestors.
In an email to politicians, Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle announced expenses rules will be relaxed from today amid a spike in threats from activists.
There will also be an increased police presence around Parliament.
Over the past week MPs have been taunted by pro-Palestine demonstrators and had their offices vandalised because they didn’t vote for an immediate ceasefire in Israel and Gaza.
Shadow Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens’ Cardiff office was sprayed with the word “murderer” in red paint.
And protestors gathered outside the office of Labour MP Rushanara Ali yelling that she had “blood” on her hands.
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Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has held discussions with police to guarantee the safety of Labour politicians who voted with Sir Keir Starmer for a prolonged humanitarian pause in the region, rather than a total end to Israel’s mission to defeat Hamas terrorists.
In his letter, Sir Lindsay said: “As you know, the safety and security of all colleagues is a top priority for me, especially considering the heightened community tensions, significant increase in protest activity and spike in abusive and threatening behaviour towards members.
“The Met Police have also agreed to extend the high visibility uniformed patrols outside the estate perimeter on sitting days, covering key access points.
“I will continue to prioritise these matters over the coming months with the Parliamentary Security Department.”
Yesterday Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves slammed aggressive Gaza activists who attacked MPs over the ceasefire vote.
She told the BBC: “I believe in the right to protest, I don’t believe in the right to intimidate, and some of those protests… I believe have crossed the line from protest to intimidation.
“Protesting outside people’s homes, putting pressure on them in that way I think is totally unacceptable.
“I would urge those people who are conducting those protests, I understand why you call for a ceasefire, but do things in a responsible way and don’t intimidate or put pressure in that way on elected representatives or anyone else for that matter.”