Scotland Yard to brief all MPs on security after Jo Cox murder

Scotland Yard is offering every MP a security briefing this week on keeping themselves and their staff safe in their constituencies following the murder of Jo Cox.

The Observer understands that there are also now plans for establishing a central body that can ensure that all local forces respond swiftly and appropriately to threats against MPs, the Guardian reported. 

The moves follow criticism that MPs were not given adequate protection away from parliament and that complaints to the parliamentary security directorate had been ignored.

The shadow leader of the Commons, Chris Bryant, said that such was his frustration with the lack of protection that he warned the parliamentary security director Paul Martin three months ago that an “MP will get shot”.

MPs had already been offered “enhanced security” for their constituency offices and homes, as well as updated guidance, after a surge in reported death threats since the vote on Britain’s military involvement in Syria last November.

Specific threats of attack have led to 62 MPs applying for such help, the Observer can reveal.

However, MPs said they had repeatedly raised concerns that some local police forces were still not taking the vulnerability of MPs seriously.

Source : MENA