MP considered pulling event over 'threatening' post

An MP has said she "never feels safe" after a "threatening" social media post prompted her to consider cancelling a constituency event.

Samantha Niblett, Labour MP for South Derbyshire, said she contacted police after a Facebook post with details of a coffee morning she is hosting this weekend were shared "with malice".

She said it followed her decision to block a local man on Facebook, whom Niblett said was "known to many".

Derbyshire Police said they had been in touch with Niblett's office over "ongoing security provisions".

Niblett later confirmed the event will be going ahead with "extra precautions".

It is understood the online incident was prompted by a constituent known to her reacting critically to a supportive post Niblett made of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, whose leadership has come under significant pressure since the local election results.

Niblett said on Facebook after stating she had chosen to block the individual that a third party had "got very angry and publicly shared information about my coffee morning location... it is very much seen as threatening".

She later told the BBC: "I hardly ever feel safe. There are lots of things we are told as MPs not to tell people, and it's probably best that way, but no, I never feel safe.

"I want people to come to my coffee mornings, all I ask is that they register. As Members of Parliament we have to be really careful about security... sadly we live with this eternal feeling of threat."

Niblett added however that the police had been "absolutely brilliant".

Niblett does her own social media and regularly engages with constituents on her Facebook page.

Her recent campaign for lifelong sex education, whereby she called for a 'Summer of Sex', has recently received widespread media attention.

Two MPs have been killed in their constituencies in the UK in the past decade.

It was recently revealed that police forces are being offered specialist support from a new national democracy protection unit to deal with the rising level of threats and abuse facing MPs.

A spokesperson for Derbyshire Police said: "The safety of MPs is a serious matter – and their ability to meet with their constituents is a vital part of their role.

"We are aware of the issues that have been raised and have liaised with the MP's office regarding the ongoing security provisions.

"While no crimes have been identified at this time, we will continue to work closely with our local officials to ensure they are able to safely continue their work."

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