Labour MP Natalie Fleet has responded to a Reform UK councillor sharing a death threat aimed at her.
A post was shared on Facebook which said Ms Fleet “should be shot”.
The Labour MP, who has spoken previously about being groomed and raped as a teenager, was misquoted as saying “I voted against the grooming gang enquiry” in a post which was shared by Simon Evans, the deputy leader of Lancashire council.
The matter was raised in today’s PMQs (Prime Minister’s Questions) session, with Sir Keir Starmer demanding an apology from Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
Ms Fleet said on GB News: “I’m just absolutely devastated. I think it’s important that women come into Parliament. I think it’s really important we have grooming victims in Parliament and it’s really important we have mums in Parliament.
“My daughter phoned me in tears this morning because she saw the death threat.”
She continued: “A massive shout out to my father-in-law, who is a massive Nigel Farage fan and a Reform voter.
“He’s also worried about his daughter-in-law’s safety. I know there are Reform voters across my constituency who disagree with what I say and do not want me dead.
Ms Fleet said the death threat has sparked a deluge of similar remarks
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“Nigel Farage is essentially condoning what his councillor is saying to me.
“Nigel Farage is complicit in violence against women and girls.”
Mr Evans shared a statement with GB News, which reads: “Yesterday, I shared a post featuring Natalie Fleet MP highlighting how she voted on the grooming gang inquiry.
“As many of you know, this is an issue close to my heart and something I have been campaigning on tirelessly since before I was elected.
Ms Fleet joined Tom Harwood and Gloria De Piero on GB News
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“Unfortunately, what I did not notice was the accompanying text on the Facebook post created by an unknown user. As soon as this was pointed out, I deleted the post.
“I would never intentionally call for or wish violence on someone, regardless of their political beliefs. This sort of rhetoric has absolutely no place in our politics.
“I would like to sincerely apologise to Ms Fleet and anyone else for the offence caused. This was a completely unintentional and genuine mistake that we can all make from time to time, especially on social media.”
Ms Fleet responded by suggesting death threats have become so normalised that the councillor failed to notice it even was one.
Ms Fleet told Nigel Farage to kick the councillor out of his party
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She demanded Mr Farage “takes action” and kicks him out of the party.
Reform UK has confirmed that an internal investigation was carried out and no further action will be taken.
A statement reads: “After investigating the post, the party considers it an honest mistake and will not be taking any action. We accept Cllr Evans’ apology and version of events.”
It follows a tense moment during PMQs where Sir Keir Starmer demanded an apology from the Reform UK leader.
The Prime Minister said: “Mr Speaker, I also have to raise this. A death threat was shared by Reform’s deputy council leader in Lancashire against the brilliant member for Bolsover.
“It said she should be shot. When death threats were made against the member for Clacton, I stood at this despatch box and condemned them outright.
“If he has any decency or backbone, he will stand up, apologise, condemn the comments and sack the individual in his party.”
Mr Farage used his opportunity to ask a question by instead bringing up the Chagos deal, much to the dismay of Labour frontbenchers.
Rachel Reeves and Steve Reed were among those shaking their heads and shouting “shame” in response to his apparent unwillingness to address the Facebook post.