Luton MP Sarah Owen stops constituency surgeries after 'incidents'
An MP says she is suspending face-to-face meetings with constituents following three security incidents in the last three weeks. In a post on social media, external, Labour's Sarah Owen described herself as an "accessible MP" and resented having to take action to ensure her team, and those who come to see her at constituency surgeries, were safe.
Owen, who represents Luton North, said two men had been arrested, and the third incident caused a surgery to be halted. She did not expand on the details of the incidents in her post. Owen and Bedfordshire Police have been contacted by the BBC for further comment.
All MPs usually hold weekly constituency "surgeries" in their local office, where anyone can come and meet them to raise an issue, usually by appointment.
Owen said: "Something wonderful about British society is being lost because of the dehumanisation of others." Andrew Sinclair, East of England political editor, said: "The issue of MPs' safety has grown in prominence following the murders of the Labour MP Jo Cox 10 years ago and the stabbing of Conservative Southend West MP David Amess as he held a constituency surgery in 2021.
"The police now routinely give security advice to MPs and their staff and many MPs no longer advertise the times and locations of their surgeries. "I know of several MPs in the East of England who over the last couple of years have had serious concerns about their and their staffs' safety.
"At least one had to take legal action against a constituent." In her Facebook post, Owen added that "alternatives for direct contact will be arranged". Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, external, Instagram, external and X, external. The top 10 things kids would do on holiday if they were in charge - and number one is no surprise!
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