Man, 46, arrested after MP Mike Freer’s office reports ‘threatening’ phone call – after he said he will quit politics
A MAN has been arrested after a threatening call was made to pro-Israel Conservative MP Mike Freer following his vow to quit politics.
The ex-Justice Minister previously claimed he had received a torrent of threats - including a suspected arson attack on his London constituency office in December.
Police today confirmed a 46-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of malicious communication.
The arrest came after Mr Freer's office complained about an "abusive and threatening phonecall".
Detective Superintendent Will Lexton-Jones, from the local policing team in north-west London, said: "It is vitally important for elected officials and their staff they can be confident in their safety and security, and we are committed to ensuring this.
"Today's arrest sends a clear message we will not tolerate threats or aggression of any kind towards elected officials. We will deal quickly and robustly with such offences.
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"We are in regular contact with MPs and other elected officials and fully recognise the growing concerns they are telling us about their safety, and as you would expect, we have kept Mr Freer MP updated throughout this investigation including today's arrest."
Mr Freer announced previously he would stand down as MP for Finchley and Golders Green at the next general election after a series of death threats.
He told how he felt "lucky to be alive" after the suspected arson attack.
It also emerged that terrorist Ali Harbi Ali visited Mr Freer’s constituency office a month before he murdered Essex MP David Amess in October 2021.
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The MP said while accepted that some abuse was “par for the course”, no one should "really have to think, am I going to survive the day?”