Angela Rayner opens up on the terrifying abuse that's become 'normal' for her family
25.06.2023 - 06:53
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Angela Rayner has spoken out about the terrifying abuse she's received since becoming a politician - as she opened up about the toll on her family.
The MP for Ashton-under-Lyne revealed she had a 'whole unit' and two dedicated police officers dealing with her case, after she received a series of chilling messages last year.
Operation Octant was set up by Greater Manchester Police, Surrey Police and Kent Police into messages sent to the deputy Labour leader. GMP say three men have been charged as part of the probe, while one man has been convicted.
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Stuart Kelly was jailed for eight weeks in April 2022 for sending the mum-of-three abusive voicemails which caused left her scared for the safety of her family and led her to 'question' her job.
Kelly linked her comments at a Labour Party conference, calling Conservatives "scum", to the death of Sir David Amess, 69. The veteran Tory MP was stabbed to death at a surgery in his constituency in Essex by terrorist Ali Harbi Ali, 26, in October 2021.
One of the messages said: "I hope your potty mouth and your big Scouse gob is happy that a father of five children is dead you scum. You are the only scum on this earth. I hope you get shot just like that poor bloke. You contributed to his death, you dirty scum."
In another, Kelly called Ms Rayner a "f****** Scouse scumbag", while in a third he said: "Murderer, f****** murderer." The machine operator pleaded guilty to sending offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing messages to Ms Rayner at Westminster Magistrates’ Court alongside Michael McGrath, 70, who sent an abusive email to Ms Rayner’s office.
Speaking at an event with The Global Institute for Women's