Pro-Palestine protesters have targeted a Conservative MP’s home accusing him of being “complicit in genocide”.
Dozens of activists stood outside Tobias Ellwood’s family home in Dorset brandishing flags, placards and a megaphone.
The former defence minister, who represents Bournemouth East, was at home with his children during the demonstration which ended at about 9pm on Monday.
Police were called and Operation Bridger, a security scheme to protect the homes and constituency offices of MPs, was implemented.
‘Complicit’ placard
A spokesman for Dorset Police said: “Officers attended the scene and liaised with the organisers to ensure people could exercise their right to protest legally and safely without causing significant or ongoing serious public disorder, serious damage or serious disruption to the community.
”We respect people’s right to lawful protest. However, we have a duty to ensure those involved act within the law and ensure the local community can go about their lawful activities.”
About 80 activists lined the road outside Mr Ellwood’s home for several hours – some holding placards depicting a picture of him with the words “complicit in genocide” across his face.
The scenes were condemned by fellow Tory MP Jonathan Gullis, who revealed he has panic alarms in his bedroom and “bullet proof cling film” on his windows.
‘Chilling effect’
“I shouldn’t require to have panic alarms in my bedroom, that I do have, or by my front door or CCTV being installed or having my gates regularly checked or having bullet proof cling film put over my windows of my house, just to be a member of parliament,” he told GB News.
The MP for Stoke-on-Trent North added: “Anyone in my community can challenge me. But if you dare come near my house, believe me, if the police aren’t going to take action, I’ll take action into my own hands.”
Alicia Kearns MP, head of the Commons’ foreign affairs select committee, said “it is wholly unacceptable for a public servant’s private home to be targeted” and that it “has a chilling effect on political discourse”.