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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jun/22/man-arrested-for-posting-threatening-comment-on-mps-facebook-page
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| Man arrested for posting threatening comment on MP's Facebook page Man arrested for posting threatening comment on MP's Facebook page | |
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| A man has been arrested after a threatening message – which included knife and gun emojis – was sent to an MP just days after the murder of Jo Cox. | A man has been arrested after a threatening message – which included knife and gun emojis – was sent to an MP just days after the murder of Jo Cox. |
| The comment was posted on Craig Mackinlay’s Facebook page underneath a post supporting the campaign to leave the EU. Mackinlay was voted in as Conservative MP for South Thanet in the 2015 elections, beating Ukip leader Nigel Farage. | The comment was posted on Craig Mackinlay’s Facebook page underneath a post supporting the campaign to leave the EU. Mackinlay was voted in as Conservative MP for South Thanet in the 2015 elections, beating Ukip leader Nigel Farage. |
| The Facebook comment read: “Another MP that needs ...” followed by a picture of a gun, knife and two smiley faces. | The Facebook comment read: “Another MP that needs ...” followed by a picture of a gun, knife and two smiley faces. |
| Cox, the MP for Batley and Spen, was shot and stabbed in the street in her constituency last Thursday. | Cox, the MP for Batley and Spen, was shot and stabbed in the street in her constituency last Thursday. |
| Labour MP Yvette Cooper reported a death threat to police after she received a tweet in which a user threatened to kill her children and grandchildren after complaining of receiving her remain campaign emails. | Labour MP Yvette Cooper reported a death threat to police after she received a tweet in which a user threatened to kill her children and grandchildren after complaining of receiving her remain campaign emails. |
| Mackinlay said: “Following the shocking events of last Thursday, it is in the most appalling taste that I have received a death threat using social media, with emoticons of a gun, knife and laughing face recommending a similar means by which I should be executed. Sadly, all MPs receive abusive communications, but in the wake of the murder of Jo Cox, I have passed on the details to Kent police who have allocated a senior detective to investigate whether the Malicious Communications Act has been breached.” | Mackinlay said: “Following the shocking events of last Thursday, it is in the most appalling taste that I have received a death threat using social media, with emoticons of a gun, knife and laughing face recommending a similar means by which I should be executed. Sadly, all MPs receive abusive communications, but in the wake of the murder of Jo Cox, I have passed on the details to Kent police who have allocated a senior detective to investigate whether the Malicious Communications Act has been breached.” |
| He said his concern was mostly for his staff and his wife, “who have a right to feel safe. “While I can take the rough and tumble of modern politics, my wife and staff are obviously concerned about their daily activities in serving the public,” he said. | He said his concern was mostly for his staff and his wife, “who have a right to feel safe. “While I can take the rough and tumble of modern politics, my wife and staff are obviously concerned about their daily activities in serving the public,” he said. |
| A Kent police spokesman said on Wednesday: “Officers investigating a report of threatening or offensive communications made on a social media post dated 18 June 2016 have made an arrest. A 28-year-old man from the Thanet area was arrested on 22 June as part of the investigation. He remains in police custody and inquiries continue.” | A Kent police spokesman said on Wednesday: “Officers investigating a report of threatening or offensive communications made on a social media post dated 18 June 2016 have made an arrest. A 28-year-old man from the Thanet area was arrested on 22 June as part of the investigation. He remains in police custody and inquiries continue.” |
| No decision has yet been made as to whether the man will be charged. | No decision has yet been made as to whether the man will be charged. |
| Mackinlay was initially a member of Ukip, serving as deputy leader in 1997, before joining the Conservative party in 2005. The MP’s campaign spending in South Thanet during last year’s general election is currently at the centre of accusations of electoral fraud. | Mackinlay was initially a member of Ukip, serving as deputy leader in 1997, before joining the Conservative party in 2005. The MP’s campaign spending in South Thanet during last year’s general election is currently at the centre of accusations of electoral fraud. |