MPs and women in public life need to be ‘resilient’ in face of threats, says Trevelyan

International Trade Sec Anne-Marie Trevelyan has today condemned death threats against MPs and others in public life.

In response to the news that Kathryn Stone, the independent standards commissioner has required police protection in the wake of the Owen Paterson row, Trevelyan told Sky News’ Breakfast programme that, “it is always unacceptable for there to be death threats”.

“”e have to be very resilient, particularly as women in public life,” she explained, adding: “this not how we want our country to be”.

She referred to both the violent threats made against deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner, and the killing of Conservative MP Sir David Amess last month.

The government has faced sharp criticisms for its approach to Ms Stone this week, after business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng implied that she should “consider her position” after the Paterson report.