Hate faced by MP Mike Freer is attack on democracy, says Downing Street

(BBC) Downing Street has said the “vitriolic hatred” faced by a Tory MP who has said he will stand down at the next election is an “attack on British democracy.”

Death threats and an alleged arson attack on his constituency office had “become too much,” Justice Minister Mike Freer told the Daily Mail.

The PM’s spokesman said no one elected “deserves to be abused or intimidated.”

Asked if MPs had enough protection, the spokesman added existing measures were “robust” but were “kept under review.”

The prime minister was “extremely saddened” that Mr Freer, who has represented Finchley and Golders Green in north London since 2010, “feels he is no longer able to serve his local community,” the Downing Street spokesman said.

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