A London MP has been forced to cancel advice surgeries over security fears after a man who allegedly hurled “sexist and racist slurs” at the politician attacked a member of her staff.
Rosena Allin-Khan has temporarily called off regular face-to-face meetings with constituents while a safety review is completed.
It follows an assault on the Tooting MP’s adviser, Kate Forbes.
Wandsworth councillor Ms Forbes was holding her own advice surgery on September 9 when a man came in and demanded to see Dr Allin-Khan.
He then shouted abuse and assaulted the Labour councillor.
The Met police confirmed they have launched an investigation, but the suspect has not been found.
A spokesman for Dr Allin-Khan’s office alleged the man had a “history of violent behaviour” towards the MP and her staff.
He added: “Politicians hold public meetings and surgeries in order to offer assistance to local people — they do not expect to be physically or verbally attacked.
“The person in question has a history of both verbal and violent physical behaviour, including sexist and racist slurs, and it will not be tolerated.
“We welcome the efforts of the police to track him down and the council’s decision to suspend surgeries until a safety review can be completed.”
Wandsworth council confirmed all face-to-face advice sessions in the borough are suspended “following a serious incident”.
They will not resume until at least October 14 while the council “reviews arrangements”.
A Met spokesman said: “Police were called on Saturday, September 9 to a report of an incident at Tooting Library.
“Officers spoke to the victim who said a man had entered the building and verbally abused her before throwing a number of objects towards her. He then left the area. An investigation is being carried out.”
No arrests have been made.
The incident had prompted further questions about MPs’ safety when they are meeting the public.
In October 2021, Conservative MP Sir David Amess was stabbed to death during a surgery at his constituency in Essex. Islamist extremist Ali Harbi Ali, 26, was sentenced to life for murder.
Five years earlier, in June 2016, Jo Cox was murdered while on her way to meet constituents. White supremacist Thomas Mair shot the Labour MP three times and then stabbed her 15 times outside a library in Birstall, West Yorkshire. He was later given a whole life term for murder and other offences.
And in 2010, East Ham MP Stephen Timms was stabbed twice in the stomach at his constituency surgery. He recovered after an emergency operation.
