Shabana Mahmood: “It is also vital that the police are given the space they need to carry out their work.”

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.

Today I also announce an independent root-and-branch review of the protective security provided by the state to those in public life.

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

An attack on any individual in public life is an attack on every one of us, and it is an attack on democracy itself.