I read
with great interest Gaby Hinsliff’s G2 report on threats to women MPs (“It’s a case of looking over your
shoulder," 26 July; https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/jul/25/we-dont-have-bodyguards-we-are-completely-vulnerable-female-mps-on-the-fears-they-face) having worked with female politicians in the British and
European Parliament.
After the
appalling stabbing murder of Labour MP
Jo Cox, everybody should take these threats very seriously.
However,
I was surprised to see the ubiquitous Labour MP Jess Phillips is once again given a platform to proselitize
her arguments on violent threats against
MPs alongside sensible Labour MPs like Paula Sherriff and Diane Abbott.
s Phillips
unfortgettably told your columnist, Owen Jones, in an interview reported on 14
December 2015 (“Labour MP Jess Phillips will 'knife Corbyn in the front' if he
damages party https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/dec/14/labour-mp-jess-phillips-knife-corbyn-vote-loser-general-election)
she would knife
Jeremy Corbyn “in the front, not the back” if it looks like he is damaging the
party’s chances of electoral success.
Your article
received nearly 9,000 on line comments. In reponse to criticism that her
language had been inappropriate after the interview was first posted online,
Phillips tweeted: “I am no more going to actually knife Jeremy Corbyn than I am
actually a breath of fresh air, or a pain in the arse.”
As someone who
you report worked for a domestic violent
charity before entering Parliament, she should think a little longer before opening her mouth
uttering dangerous words.
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