Shabana Mahmood: “Fair to those who seek a new and better life here, like my parents did, and fair to those already here, including…”

Those who enter public life do so to serve. Robust debate and criticism are part of the job. Threats, abuse and violence are not.

I can therefore announce today that I will expand, with immediate effect, police support to political figures who are not currently members of parliament.

We owe it to them and to everyone who believes in a fair and open country to ensure that those who serve at all levels receive the protection they deserve.

In a more dangerous world, we are faced by threats from without and within that target our democracy and our way of life.