Abuse towards MPs has gone ‘beyond the suitable’, says Archbishop

The Archbishop of Canterbury has called for a return to civility after reports of parliamentary candidates receiving abuse and threats through the recent election campaign. 

Archbishop Justin Welby made the comments during a special church service for the brand new Parliament on Tuesday. 

The service was held in St Margaret’s Church in Westminster, which is situated opposite the Houses of Parliament and is also known as the ‘parish church of the House of Commons’.

It was attended by parliamentarians, including the Speaker of the House of Commons and latest Labour and Conservative MPs.

The Archbishop praised the “courage” of those that stood in the overall election as he expressed concern in regards to the abuse experienced by candidates and particularly threats towards women. 

He warned that threats against women in politics were becoming “normalised” and that some church hustings events had needed extra security.

“Those who stood within the last election, regardless of the result, are people of courage,” said Welby.

“For we face a time of danger without, and anger inside our nation. Many of you’ll have endured abuse beyond the suitable and normal in a campaign.

“Threats aimed especially at women have gotten normalised. Hustings held in churches have sometimes needed close protection officers.”

Prayers were read by Baroness Sherlock and Tricia Hillas, Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons. 

Later in his sermon, the Archbishop said he had received messages from around the globe commending “the speed, smoothness and beauty of the strategy of changing the federal government”.

“Fourteen hours from the exit poll to the appointment of a latest Prime Minister,” he said. 

Labour’s Jess Phillips and Shabana Mahmood each reported high levels of intimidation and harassment through the campaign. 

Enduring heckling during her speech after being re-elected in Birmingham, Ms Phillips said it had been the worst election she had ever stood in. 

Ms Mahmood described a “terrifying” experience when masked men disrupted a community meeting.