Minister Suggests Public Body Should Defend MPs’ Right Not To Be "Bullied" And "Harassed"

Government minister Steve Baker has said there is a case for an existing public body to remind activists that politicians are not “fair game” for “harassment, intimidation and bullying”.

Baker spoke to PoliticsHome about MPs' safety after he was confronted by a protestor over the weekend, which led him to contact the police. It is the second such incident the Northern Ireland minister has experienced since the war in the Middle East began.

Footage of the incident was viewed thousands of times on social media. Baker stressed the protester kept his distance and did not threaten him.

He told PoliticsHome he believed there was a case for a "neutral party" such as ACPO or the Electoral Commission to make it clear to the public and activists that the laws of harassment apply to MPs as well as British citizens equally.

“I think there is a case for an authoritative, independent body making clear to activists and the public at large that the law applies equally to Members of Parliament in all regards, including the way we are treated on the street. We are not fair game for harassment, intimidation and bullying,” he said.

Baker said a number of MPs have contacted and spoken to him about their experience of being followed and asked intrusive questions by activists. He said if a stranger follows an MP, there is an automatic concern the person might be carrying a knife. 

“I found that this is a common pattern amongst MPs. I've had a number of MPs now say that people are engaging in these behaviours, including asking about their children,” he said.

“And saying ‘it's okay because you're a public figure’? They're not entitled to ask about your children… the law of harassment applies to us like everybody else.”

Baker said he was also confronted