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Labour MP Sharon Hodgson’s office targeted in suspected arson attack Man held after suspected arson attack on office of Labour MP Sharon Hodgson
(about 3 hours later)
Police investigate after images show the office burnt out and roof destroyed in Washington, Tyne and Wear Police investigate after images show roof of building destroyed in Washington, Tyne and Wear
Police are investigating a suspected arson attack on the office of the Labour MP Sharon Hodgson. A man in his 20s has been arrested by police after a suspected arson attack wrecked the constituency office of the Labour MP Sharon Hodgson.
Images show her constituency office in Washington, Tyne and Wear burnt out and the roof destroyed. There is little left of the first floor office in the Concord area of Washington, Tyne and Wear, after a fire that took place when it was unoccupied in the early hours of the morning.
As well as apparently extensive damage to the building, Vermont House, there is graffiti on the side of the building reading: “328 days blood on your hands.” Graffiti on the side of the building reads: “328 days blood on your hands.”
Hodgson is the MP for Washington and Gateshead South. A spokesperson for the MP said in a statement: “An incident occurred overnight at Sharon’s office. A No 10 spokesperson condemned the attack: “There is absolutely no place for this kind of violence in our society.
“We will not be commenting or speculating while there is an ongoing police investigation; what we are clear on is there is no place for this kind of violence in our society. “All those involved in our democratic process should be able to go about their vital work freely and with confidence.”
“Sharon will not be deterred and will continue to support her constituents in Washington and Gateshead South as she does day in, day out. Constituents should get in touch with their issues by emailing in the usual way.” A spokesperson for Hodgson, the MP for Washington and Gateshead South, said she would “not be deterred” and would continue to support her constituents.
The government said the “thoughts of the whole house” would be with Hodgson. Northumbria police said they were alerted to the fire at 12.20am on Thursday.
It came after the Labour MP Andy McDonaldmentioned the fire during a question in the House of Commons on Thursday morning. A spokesperson for the force said: “Emergency services attended and no one is reported to have been injured in the incident.
McDonald said: “I’m sure I speak for the whole house in sending our best wishes to our colleague in Washington and Gateshead South for the appalling fire at her office overnight, and send our very best wishes to her and her staff.” “A man in his 20s has subsequently been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and arson. He remains in police custody at this time.”
The Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty said: “I wasn’t aware of the terrible instance he referred to this morning, I’ve just been informed and I’m sure the thoughts of the whole house will be with our colleague.” Hodgson has been the area’s MP since 2005. A spokesperson said: “An incident occurred overnight at Sharon’s office.
He added: “I think particularly in light of international events, and the tragic loss of colleagues, this all the more underlines why we must have security and safety to go about democratic debate in this country, whatever our views, in a safe and secure way.” “We will not be commenting or speculating while there is an ongoing police investigation. What we are clear on is there is no place for this kind of violence in our society.
More details soon … “Sharon will not be deterred and will continue to support her constituents in Washington and Gateshead South as she does day in, day out.
“Constituents should get in touch with their issues by emailing in the usual way.”
The fire was at Vermont House, which is home to a number of small businesses and is in a square with an open area in the middle.
Nearby is the A195 road and businesses including a Kwik Fit, a Halfords Autocentre and a National Tyres branch. One man said he arrived for work at 7.45am and there were “stacks” of police, but he had no idea the MP had an office there.
Aerial images taken using a drone show the charred, destroyed roof of much of the building.
At the height of the blaze there were seven appliances tackling the fire, a spokesperson for Tyne and Wear fire and rescue service said.
They added: “The emergency call was received by our control room at 00.12, and the first crew arrived on Woodland Terrace in Concord within four minutes.
“Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used jets and a hose reel to extinguish the fire and worked alongside blue-light colleagues to make the scene safe. No casualties were reported.”
The Tyne and Wear chief fire officer, Peter Heath, said: “I want to commend our crews for their swift and professional response to this serious incident. Their actions ensured the fire was contained quickly and safely, with no reported casualties.
“We continue to work closely with our partners as investigations progress.”
Parliamentary colleagues of Hodgson sent their best wishes.
In a parliamentary debate, the Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty said the thoughts of the whole house would be with the MP: “I think particularly in light of international events, and the tragic loss of colleagues, this all the more underlines why we must have security and safety to go about democratic debate in this country, whatever our views, in a safe and secure way.”
The Liverpool Riverside MP, Kim Johnson, told the Commons: “I’d also like to offer my support to my honourable friend, the member for Washington and Gateshead.
“This incident follows a number of incidents that she’s experienced. It’s out of order.”
On Facebook, the City of Durham Labour MP Mary Kelly Foy wrote: “Sending love and support to my friend Sharon Hodgson MP and her team today after another attack on their office building.
“After the shocking murder of a political influencer mere hours ago in the US, MPs in the UK woke to scenes of one of our colleagues’ offices being targeted.
“No matter which part of the political spectrum you fall into – this is intimidation by thugs and they must face the full force of the law.
“Serious thought needs to be given to how this impacts staff in constituency offices, like Sharon’s, who frankly work their arses off every day to support local people.
“Anyone supporting this type of violence toward MPs and their teams needs to take a long hard look in the mirror.”