EXCL Lindsay Hoyle urges MPs to follow safety advice amid security fears
2 min read
MPs should protect themselves from attack by not telling voters where they are going to be, according to Lindsay Hoyle.
The Commons Speaker also urged newly-elected politicians to take all the security measures offered to them by parliamentary officials.
His comments come after a number of female MPs quit politics, citing the abuse they had suffered both online and in person.
Speaking at a House magazine reception for new MPs, Mr Hoyle said that they should be particularly careful when meeting voters in open spaces.
He said: "What I try to do, is I’m going to do street surgeries, don’t tell people you’re coming down that street. First of all you’re on their terms, they know you’re coming.
"I do take the staff out, we do it on a regular basis, but we will pick streets randomly, so nobody ever quite knows. But it’s a great way of engaging. Please remember security. For you, your staff and your family."
The Speaker urged MPs not to "shy away from taking the security that is offered".
"You have a responsibility and a duty of care, so please always have that at the forefront of your mind," he said. "You will be offered different assistances. Please do not shy away from taking them ... to make sure your family is protected.
"There is no one size fits all. But security, that we will always support you on. It is the one thing I am absolutely 100% committed to. So please when you go out to meet your constituents, think long and hard about how you do that.
"How do you engage with them? I don’t want you to stop engaging with them, but I want to make sure you do it on your terms and you do it safely."
