Labour MP speaks out on death threats and election abuse

Death threats and voter intimidation left Rushanara Ali needing police protection during her re-election campaign, the Labour MP has told the BBC.

Videos on social media show anti-Labour activists following and shouting at Ms Ali’s supporters as they canvassed, as well as a fake Labour leaflets circulating depicting her with devil horns.

In an exclusive BBC interview, Ms Ali said attempts to “intimidate people into not supporting the Labour Party” had “destabilised” her campaign.

Ms Ali, the first British Bangladeshi elected to parliament, saw her majority in Bethnal Green and Stepney cut from 37,500 votes to 1,700.

It comes as several MPs reported abuse in the election campaign.

Labour MPs Jess Phillips and Shabana Mahmood highlighted the intimidation and threats they endured, calling it an “assault on democracy”.

Read more: BBC News