On Wednesday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned the intimidation of MPs by what he referred to as “aggressive mobs,” likely alluding to a protest that took place outside the home of Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood.
The incident occurred on Monday night, where the MP for Bournemouth East was advised by police to avoid his family residence due to the presence of approximately 60 to 100 pro-Palestinian demonstrators. They were seen waving flags, brandishing placards, and chanting slogans through megaphones.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Mr. Sunak emphasized the importance of free debate in democracy, expressing concern over the targeting of MPs by aggressive groups. He vowed not to let such intimidation tactics succeed, stressing the need to protect MPs’ security and uphold democratic values.
Mr. Ellwood, speaking on BBC Radio 4’s “PM” programme, condemned the invasion of his private address and the organization of an intimidating rally outside his home, which affected not only his family but also his neighbors.
Footage released by Sky News on Tuesday captured the scene outside Mr. Ellwood’s residence, showing demonstrators holding Palestinian flags and banners while chanting slogans. One poster singled out the MP with the words “Tobias Ellwood, You can’t hide. You’re complicit in genocide,” accompanied by blood-red palm prints.
According to Mr. Ellwood, there were around 60 to 80 demonstrators present, while Corrie Drew, a socialist and former Labour candidate for Bournemouth East, claimed on social media that there were 100 participants. Drew, known for her support of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, left the party in 2021 and has been critical of current Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, associating him with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and accusing Israeli leaders of genocide.