Former Tory leadership candidate Penny Mordaunt has had her security bolstered after receiving a chilling death threat.
Police have launched an investigation after a letter threatening to kill Ms Mordaunt and her family was delivered to her constituency office in Portsmouth.
The letter, which was delivered during the final days of her failed campaign to become PM, included threats to "shoot her in the head", according to Portsmouth News.
Officers attended her constituency office on Friday, July 22 to interview her and carry out security checks to minimise the risk to Ms Mordaunt, her family and staff.
Ms Mordaunt said: "I’m still serving my community and never let such things distract me from my job.
"I’m very grateful for all the good wishes and support."
It comes amid fears over MP safety after the murder Sir David Amess last year, and the killing of Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016.
A Hampshire police spokeswoman said: "At 11.50am on July 22, we received a report of a letter containing threats to kill a Portsmouth woman and her family which was sent to her office in Lakeside, North Harbour.
"We attended and safeguarding measures were put in place to minimise the risk to the woman and her family, employees and the wider community.
"Our inquiries into this incident are ongoing and it has been referred to the Parliamentary Liaison Team.
"We take the safeguarding of our MPs incredibly seriously and there are robust systems in place to ensure they can carry out their job safely."
Ms Mordaunt was eliminated in the final round of the MPs vote last week, leaving Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss to battle for the support of Tory members.
Her supporters had criticised her rivals for carrying out a "black ops" operation to scupper her leadership bid, which failed amid a raft of negative briefings.
Donna Jones, police and crime commissioner for Hampshire, who backed Ms Mordaunt’s campaign, said she was appalled by the new threats.
She said: "The threats both online and in person towards public figures are growing and getting worse.
"The death of Jo Cox and Sir David Amess reminds us that often these violent attacks are linked to people who are suffering with mental health issues.
"The threats made to Penny Mordaunt are deeply worrying and it’s right that Hampshire Constabulary looks into the threat fully.
