Shrewsbury MP closes town-centre office following attacks

Julia Buckley, MP for Shrewsbury, confirmed the decision had been taken to shut her Wyle Cop office in the town following the incidents.

The Labour MP stressed that she would be arranging coffee mornings and surgeries to ensure constituents can still regularly meet her in person.

But, she said that the safety of her staff had been paramount in the decision.

The office was daubed in black paint back in December, with Labour logos and a picture of Mrs Buckley covered up.

Police launched an appeal following the incident.

Mrs Buckley has confirmed that there had been two other attacks on the premises, prompting the decision to close.

The MP said that the lease on the office was due to expire in April but the closure had been brought forward in light of the situation.

She said the threats were "credible" and said she would do "whatever it is" to make sure staff are safe.

Mrs Buckley said the situation was "happening across the country" and highlighted instances where her predecessor, Conservative Daniel Kawczynski's office in the town was also targeted.

She said: "It is happening all over the country and I know neighbouring colleagues who have had abuse on Twitter and social media. With the current climate on social media there has been lots of aggression and anxiety across politics and it has become quite polarised and unfortunately that is part of modern politics."

The MP stressed that despite the situation she had been able to speak to thousands of constituents about their issues since taking office.

She said: "We have tried to be accessible and we have helped 4,600 people since the election - that is a huge number of people."

She added: "It is a shame but what I need to do is make sure I find other ways to be available."

She said she would be running coffee mornings once a month and arranging surgeries to meet constituents.