Jo Cox’s sister: Political abuse has worsened since EU referendum
Written by News on 28/03/2019
The sister of an MP murdered during the Brexit campaign has said political abuse has become “progressively worse” since the EU referendum.
Jo Cox, who was the Labour MP for Batley and Spen, was shot and stabbed by right-wing extremist Thomas Mair in June 2016.
Her sister, Kim Leadbeater, told members of the Scottish parliament that the level of abuse aimed at politicians has worsened further over the past three years – and she urged MSPs to lead by example to improve the nature of political debate.
Ms Leadbeater said: “As we know to our cost, it only takes one individual who can’t differentiate between violent language and threatening language, and violent action for lives to be torn apart.”
Speaking outside the Scottish parliament before meeting ministers, cross-party representatives and presiding officer Ken Macintosh, Ms Leadbeater said her late sister would find the current state of British politics “extremely upsetting and sad”.
She added: “Jo was a huge advocate for passionate discussion and robust debate but I think she would be extremely disappointed that things have got to this point.
“The current climate is particularly worrying, the abuse politicians have faced has reached new low levels and I think we all have to work together now to try and change the nature of that debate.
“There’s absolutely nothing wrong with robust debate and being passionate about the subject, but when that descends into personal attacks, abuse and violent language, I think that’s not helpful, that’s not going to move things forward.
“Whether you are a politician or a journalist or a normal member of the public like me, we all have a responsibility to conduct ourselves in a more civilised manner.
“I think things are undoubtedly worse.
“I’ve had lots of conversations with MPs down in Westminster and the abuse that they have suffered – whether it’s on social media or via email and contact with their office – has really shocked me.
“Personal threats of violence, rape threats towards women, MPs fearing for the safety of their families – that can’t be right,” she added.
Ms Leadbeater said she does not have a Facebook or Twitter account to try and avoid the online abuse she has witnessed.
(c) Sky News 2019: Jo Cox’s sister: Political abuse has worsened since EU referendum
