Female Conservative MP quits Twitter due to anonymous abuse

Conservative MP Sarah Atherton has quit Twitter after being subject to abuse and threats.

Writing in the Sunday Express, the MP criticised the “anonymisation of profiles” which she argued, “gives a platform to this hate.”

She also warned that the failure of social media companies to tackle personal attacks is “deterring women from standing for election” and expressed concerns about the impact of such platforms on young people’s mental health.

She went on: “If the harassment and abuse that I have received had taken place physically, rather than virtually, action would have been taken. However, on Twitter similar action is never swift. This is why I have decided to quit the platform and make a stand.”

Conservative MP Caroline Nokes, chair of the House of Commons’ women and equalities committee has said that there is “real merit in stamping out anonymity” so those involved in online abuse will not be able to conceal their identity.

However, the debate over online anonymity remains a contentious one, and human rights charities such as Amnesty International highlight that anonymity is often a matter of safety for people in certain circumstances or living in fear of repressive internet laws across the world.