«Breaking News» Ex-MI5 chief says he is 'very concerned' over the level of intimidation aimed at public figures

A former head of the MI5 has expressed concern that abuse and intimidation levelled at public figures 'is a problem that isn't going away'.

Lord Evans, the director general of MI5 between 2007 and 2013 said death threats and daubing of homes of politicians has increased in the last 18 months.

It comes amid rising tensions caused by Brexit but Lord Evans says Britain leaving the European Union is not the only reason for the rise.

Lord Evans, the director general of MI5 between 2007 and 2013 said death threats and daubing of homes has increased in the last 18 months

The cross-bench peer told the BBC: 'We are very concerned about the situation in regard to intimidation and abuse in public life.

'This is a problem that isn't going away.

'When you get to the point of death threats, when you get to the point of daubing of properties - that is absolutely clearly beyond any acceptable level in a democracy.'

Prime Minister Theresa May leaves the British Residence in Brussels. Responding to questions about the PM's speech this week Lord Evans said language used in public debate should be courteous

The current chairman of the committee on standards in public life warned a new 'political activity' is 'infecting' the country. 

He said: 'This is not just a Brexit-related issue, this is a form of, kind of, political activity which is infecting the political life in this country and has been doing so for a period.

'But it is particularly acute at the moment because of the political conflict that is going on over our future in or out of Europe.'

Lord Evans suggested it was having a damaging impact on public debate.

He said: 'I have had three conversations with people that I regard as reliable and sensible commentators who have said that they are aware of cases where individuals are so concerned that they are both limiting what they are willing to say on public matters, and there is a risk that they will actually feel that they have to change the way in which they are voting.

'And I think that's a very serious matter.'

Asked about the controversy surrounding Theresa May's televised addressed in which the Prime Minister was accused of blaming Parliament for delays on Brexit, Lord Evans said language used in public debate should be courteous.

'I think the overall question of intimidation is the critical point here.

'I think we need to ensure that the sort of language that is being used in public discourse is courteous and does not get used in a way that stokes up strong feelings.

'Although there are strong political feelings on this it should not and cannot be allowed to spill over into abuse and intimidation.'

Lord Evans said he agreed with some other national security experts that a no-deal Brexit could make the UK less safe.

He added: 'I am concerned that in the event of a hard Brexit that there will not be the preparations that we need to have in order to ensure that legal instruments, such as the European arrest warrant, access to European and Europol databases etc are properly assured.

'I am not so immediately worried about intelligence cooperation because that is not an issue on which the European Union is the, kind of, competent authority.'      

Link hienalouca.com

https://hienalouca.com/2019/03/23/ex-mi5-chief-says-he-is-very-concerned-over-the-level-of-intimidation-aimed-at-public-figures/
Main photo article A former head of the MI5 has expressed concern that abuse and intimidation levelled at public figures ‘is a problem that isn’t going away’.
Lord Evans, the director general of MI5 between 2007 and 2013 said death threats and daubing of homes of politicians has increased in the...

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Dianne Reeves Online news HienaLouca





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