Labour’s Stella Creasy today slammed a call by Just Stop Oil for eco-zealots to target MPs in their homes as they protest against new oil and gas licences.
The Walthamstow MP warned of an ‘infection’ in British politics and voiced fears the country is headed for a ‘very dark place’ as she criticised the climate campaigners.
‘Where does this end if we are saying MPs and their families and their homes are fair game?,’ Ms Creasy asked.
The ex-shadow minister also swiped at the Guardian newspaper for publishing Just Stop Oil’s call for the targeting of MPs’ offices and homes ‘without comment’.
In an opinion piece, published today, Just Stop Oil co-founder Sarah Lunnon hit out at ‘cowardice’ from Labour MPs and said her group were ready to ‘escalate’ action.
Labour’s Stella Creasy slammed a call by Just Stop Oil for eco-zealots to target MPs in their homes as they protest against new oil and gas licences
A Just Stop Oil co-founder used a newspaper article to hit out at ‘cowardice’ from Labour MPs and said the group were ready to ‘escalate’ action
Ms Creasy highlighted how Tory former minister Tobias Ellwood recently saw his family’s home surrounded by a large group of pro-Palestinian protesters
‘That’s why we are asking Labour MPs at their offices, in their constituencies, and at their homes to find their courage – and end the Tory oil and gas policies that are wrecking stable society,’ she added.
‘Ordinary people will demand of them that they recognise what is needed to defend us. We all have a right to feel safe in our homes, but with the storms, the flood waters and the fires we are not safe.
‘When we’re choosing between heating and eating we’re not safe. When there’s one loaf between 10 shoppers we’re not safe.’
Her call comes after a Mail On Sunday investigation revealed how Just Stop Oil activists are plotting to ‘occupy’ politicians’ offices and homes ahead of the general election.
One activist told an undercover reporter: ‘What our strategy is, at least in the short-term, is that we’re going to be occupying Labour MPs’ offices, their houses, disrupting their speeches, etc.’
Ms Creasy blasted the group as she commented on growing concerns about the security of MPs amid increasing levels of abuse and intimidation.
‘There is an infection in our body politic,’ she told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
‘If you want any evidence of that, the Guardian newspaper has today without any particular comment.
‘And I am quite terrified of raising this because I realise this puts me in the sight lines of the organisation behind it.
‘They’ve published an opinion piece calling for Labour MPs to be targeted in their homes.’
Ms Creasy highlighted how Tory former minister Tobias Ellwood recently saw his family’s home surrounded by a large group of pro-Palestinian protesters.
‘We are normalising that,’ Ms Creasy warned, adding: ‘The question is where does this end?’
Ms Creasy spoke out following last night’s chaotic scenes in the House of Commons during a Gaza ceasefire vote.
Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle is facing calls for resign over his handling of the debate. He issued a further apology today for his role in the parliamentary meltdown.
But Sir Lindsay also emphasised concerns over the security of MPs who have faced threats over their stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Ms Creasy added: ‘Where does this end? It’s not to do with Gaza this organisation… it’s actually to do with climate change.
‘I’m incredibly sympathetic to the idea we’ve got to make climate change a massive priority.
‘But where does this end if we are saying MPs and their families and their homes are fair game? I fear that’s a very dark place and I fear it for two reasons.
‘One because it means we’re not debating, we’re not discussing, we’re not trying to find a way through.
‘But we’re also going to get to the point where only people who want conflict, only people who want anger.
‘Only people who are arguing that politics is about finding someone to blame for the things that make you cross, rather than solutions, for the challenges in the world is what it’s about.
‘That might be great clickbait, but it doesn’t make for good policymaking.’