Man arrested after homophobic death threats to gay MP Ben Bradshaw
The arrest comes after weeks of ‘abhorrent’ anti-gay abuse towards the politician and his staff.
A man has been arrested after launching a campaign of homophobic and racist abuse against gay Labour MP Ben Bradshaw, police have confirmed.
Mr Bradshaw is one of Labour’s most influential LGB politicians, and previously served as Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport under Gordon Brown.
The police arrested his alleged abuser after a threatening call made to the MP’s office at Westminster was recorded.
His staff then contacted police at the Houses of Parliament and the Devon & Cornwall Force.
Officers arrested the 37-year-old man from Mr Bradshaw’s constituency in Exeter yesterday (June 16).
“An abusive phone call to MP Ben Bradshaw was recorded on his office answering machine,” the police said in a statement.
“The office contacted Parliamentary Police and Devon and Cornwall Police. A 37-year-old man from Exeter is in police custody for interview.”
Mr Bradshaw – who recently lost his bid to become Labour’s Deputy Leader – said: “I am grateful to the police for acting so swiftly.”
The arrest came on the same day Mr Bradshaw’s fellow Labour MP, Jo Cox, was murdered following a brutal attack in her constituency.
After a scuffle with a gun-wielding attacker, she was shot and stabbed several times. One other man, 77, sustained minor injuries in the attack.
Ms Cox was taken to Leeds General Infirmary by air ambulance, but sadly passed away.
52-year-old Tommy Mair has been arrested in connection with the attack.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn – who recently spoke to PinkNews following last weekend’s Orlando massacre – said the party was “in shock” following Ms Cox’s death.
“Jo died doing her public duty at the heart of our democracy, listening to and representing the people she was elected to serve. It is a profoundly important cause for us all.”
