Man, 52, arrested after deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner received string of threats
DETECTIVES have today arrested a man after deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner received a string of threats.
The 52-year-old is being investigated after allegedly sending threatening and abusive letters and emails as well as phone calls on October 15.
Greater Manchester Police attended an address in Halifax to arrest the man on suspicion of malicious communications.
He has since been released pending further enquiries after the threats were recieved by Ms Rayner, 37, in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester.
A spokesperson for Angela Rayner said: “Angela and her staff have received a number of threatening, malicious and abusive communications in recent weeks.
“We are working with the police to ensure that the perpetrators of these crimes are brought to justice and Angela would like to thank the police for their work during these investigations.
“Abuse and threats of this nature don’t just have an impact on Angela but also on her family, her children and her staff who are on the receiving end of these communications.
“Angela is currently on bereavement leave after losing a close loved one and she looks forward to being back at work as soon as possible.”
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Detective Sergeant Christopher Dean of GMP’s Tameside district added: “Abusive, threatening or bullying behaviour towards anyone is completely unacceptable and we will always do what we can to ensure those responsible are identified and held accountable for their behaviour.
“Although we have arrested one man our investigation very much remains ongoing and we will continue to pursue all available lines of enquiry to identify all those responsible.”
Anyone with information should contact police via 101 or LiveChat function at www.gmp.police.uk quoting 3488 of 22/10/21.
Alternatively details can be passed via the anonymous charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
In 2019, mum-of-three Ms Rayner revealed that she had installed panic buttons in her home after receiving rape and murder threats in a separate incident.
The MP said: “It was only a couple of weeks ago someone claiming to be a Jeremy Corbyn supporter was arrested for making threats to rape and murder me on social media. My house has panic buttons fitted.”
The arrest comes two weeks after the murder of Conservative MP Sir David Amess, who was stabbed to death in a constituency meeting in Southend-on-Sea, Essex.
Labour MP Rosie Cooper was also targeted in 2019 by a man from the far-right group National Action.
Jack Renshaw, 23, from Skelmersdale, Lancashire, was sentenced to at least 20 years in prison after admitting to preparing an act of terrorism and wanting to “replicate” the murder of Jo Cox.