A survey by the BBC in September 2017 confirmed growing levels of abuse and death threats to MPs.
This issue was sadly highlighted by the killing of Jo Cox, the MP for Batley and Spen who campaigned against the war in Syria and opposed Brexit, on June 16 2016 in Birstall, West Yorkshire.
The Association of European Journalists issued a statement condemning the murder of the 41-year-old Labour Member of the British Parliament who was shot and killed in her Yorkshire constituency.
Jo Cox had reportedly received threats of violence before the deadly attack.
The AEJ said such acts of extreme violence can have a chilling effect on the robust exchange of arguments, opinions and information which are the essence of open democratic societies.
On Nov. 23 2016 Thomas Mair, a 53-year-old unemployed gardener and far right extremist, was sentenced to prison for the rest of his life for the murder. He had shot the MP twice in the head and once in the chest with a sawn-off hunting rifle before stabbing her 15 times.
At the sentencing hearing the judge described Ms. Cox as “passionate, open-hearted, inclusive and generous” and a true patriot while the murderer “affected to be a patriot”.
The judge continued: “It is evident from your internet searches that your inspiration is not love of country or your fellow citizens, it is an admiration for Nazis and similar anti-democratic white supremacist creeds.”
