Brick thrown through Angela Eagle’s office window following Labour leadership bid (VIDEO)
Staff at the Labour MPs office have begged for an end to the “violence” and “intimidating behaviour”.
Angela Eagle has had a brick thrown through the window of her constituency office following her bid to become Labour leader.
Ms Eagle’s aides called the police after the incident in her constituency in Wallasey, Merseyside, which took place a few hours after the former shadow business secretary – who recently described herself as a “strong, gay woman” – announced her plans to challenge current leader Jeremy Corbyn.
Employees at the office have also received a number of ‘abusive calls’ including one message referring to Ms Eagle as a “f****** b****”, according to The Telegraph.
Helen Osgood – a senior caseworker at Ms Eagle’s office – explained the effect the abuse was having on members of Ms Eagle’s staff.
“I think that all of this violence needs to stop. We can’t live in a society that’s divided by hatred like this,” Ms Osgood told the Liverpool Echo.
“I’m calling for people to stop this violence and the bad behaviour and let’s just get behind whatever leader you choose.”
She also revealed that a meeting Ms Eagle was due to attend in Luton today had to be cancelled after the hotel hosting the event was bombarded with threats throughout the night.
“Angela’s also had threats of intimidating behaviour,” she added.
“She was supposed to go to a meeting in Luton today but the hotel manager’s had threats all night and so the meeting hasn’t been able to go ahead.
“So please just leave us alone.”
A Merseyside Police spokesman confirmed they had been alerted to the incident on Tuesday morning, before appealing for information.
“Merseyside Police can confirm they were called to premises in Manor Road, Wallasey, today, Tuesday 12 July, following reports of criminal damage,” the spokesman said.
“It is believed that between 5pm last night (Monday) and 9am today, damage was caused to the front ground floor window of an office.
“The incident was reported to Merseyside Police at 9.55am today. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.”
In the wake of the attack, Mr Corbyn said “it is extremely concerning that Angela Eagle has been the victim of a threatening act and that other MPs are receiving abuse and threats.
“As someone who has also received death threats this week and previously, I am calling on all Labour party members and supporters to act with calm and treat each other with respect and dignity, even where there is disagreement.
“I utterly condemn any violence or threats, which undermine the democracy within our party and have no place in our politics.”
See a clip of Ms Osgood’s statement below:
Helen Osgood, senior caseworker at Angela Eagle’s office, says the Wallasey MP has received threatening messages pic.twitter.com/VtGWADgDct
— Lorna Hughes (@lorna_hughes) July 12, 2016
