Rishi Sunak slates ‘aggressive mob’ of pro-Gaza protesters at Tory MP’s home

Get the free Morning Headlines e-mail for information from our reporters internationally

Sign as much as our free Morning Headlines e-mail

Prime minister Rishi Sunak has condemned an “aggressive mob” of pro-Palestinian protesters who focused a Conservative MP’s household home.

Police have been referred to as as about 80 activists gathered exterior Tobias Ellwood’s home in Dorset on Monday, brandishing flags, placards and a megaphone.

One signal had the phrases “complicit in genocide” written throughout the face of the MP, who chaired the Defence Select Committee from 2020 till final yr.

The protesters, who opposed Israel’s bombing of Gaza, remained exterior his home for a number of hours.

Mr Sunak wrote on social media: “Democracy is built on free debate – but increasingly MPs have been targeted by aggressive mobs for exercising those freedoms.

“We will never let those who intimidate prevail.

“It’s paramount MPs’ security is protected, and our democratic values upheld. Nothing is more important.”

Mr Ellwood instructed Sky News that he and his kids have been indoors because the protest unfolded.

The MP for Bournemouth East, who’s a former defence minister, has beforehand criticised Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s technique.

He wrote on Politico: “Through a purely military lens, Israel’s mighty kinetic response looks like pure vengeance — an exhibition of unadulterated strength without consideration for the long term.”

He instructed the BBC politics have been turning into more and more hateful and politicians can’t be seen as “fair game”.

“All MPs expect criticism from time to time – it comes with the territory, but the bar of acceptable treatment is falling,” he instructed Radio 4.

“Advertising a private address to mobilise an aggressive, intimidating rally at an MP’s residential property, impacting not just on the family but also neighbours as well, for me is a step too far.

“This cannot be normalised in any way… democracy clearly is not in a good place if this becomes the norm.”

Mr Ellwood agreed he had not taken a stridently pro-Israel place, and mentioned it was an indication of the protesters’ “ignorance”.

He insisted: “MPs cannot be fair game, to be attacked in this way.”

“We are losing the art of how to disagree as politics becomes ever more angry and hateful,” he added.

Dorset Police mentioned they didn’t make any arrests however a safety programme for MPs was put in place.