47 people suspected of stalking MPs referred to specialist unit in two years
Figures show 21 referrals from Westminster were taken on last year and 21 the year before, but most were of 'low concern'
FORTY-SEVEN suspected stalkers hounding terrified MPs have been referred to a specialist threat unit in just two years, The Sun on Sunday can reveal.
The shocking figures emerged after MP Jo Cox was killed in Birstall, West Yorkshire, on Thursday.
Intervention ... cops at Westminster referred cases to the Fixed Threat Assessment Centre
The backgrounds of the disturbed individuals were probed by detectives and forensic psychiatric nurses after cops at Westminster intervened.
The Fixated Threat Assessment Centre - who probe risks to those with high-profiles including the royal family - are able to access GP records and carry out police checks immediately.
MPs have been advised to raise the alarm if they receive a direct threat, witness extremes of wild rage or are ordered to change their behaviour by an individual.
Warning signs also include demands for money or talk of justice where the MP is seen as part of the problem.
Communications such as letters or e-mails that include the phrase “end of my teather” should raise concerns immediately.
The shocking number of stalkers can be revealed just three days after the tragic death of Labour MP Jo Cox who was killed in her constituency.
Figures show that 21 referrals were taken on from the Palace of Westminster - now Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection last year.
Seven were found to be of moderate concern and 14 of low concern.
During 2014, there were 26 referrals taken on by FTAC with 11 of moderate concern and 15 of low concern.
FTAC consultant and co-founder Dr David James warned MPs last night to engage with the specialist team and not to be afraid of “shopping” a constituent.
He said: “We have come across a degree of complacency. There is a security leaflet for MPs which tells them about FTAC if any of them read them.
“New MPs have talks at the beginning of Parliament but very few turn up.
“We’ve been wanting the House authorities to allow us to have more contact with MPs and launch a programme of education to interact directly with constituency surgeries.
“A lot of MPs are hesitant about the idea of ‘shopping’ any of their constituents to authorities.
Too many people see dealing with madness as part of the job and that shouldn’t be.
“I would want to roll-out a programme to MPs and their constituency staff about the dangers of fixated loners and teaching them to use instruments to identify risk based on the latest research.”
He also said: “People who attack politicians are almost all mentally ill, who have grievances that have been there slowly festering for months or years.”
Following the death of Jo Cox, MPs were urged to review their security arrangements. Police officers are contacting politicians as concerns grow over copycat incidents.
One backbench MP - who didn’t want to be named - told The Sun on Sunday that he had to move home after receiving threats.
He said: “The police phoned my wife and told her to leave our home with our children such was the risk.
We then had to have a panic button installed.
“Everytime we had guests or babysitters round we had to explain about the panic button and thought this was no way to live so we moved house in the end.”
It’s also understood that one female MP had to be met by police officers at the train station in her constituency after returning from Westminster.
Cops then checked out her home property before she could enter.
Labour MP Rachael Maskell received a death threat the day before Jo Cox was murdered from the far-right Notts Casual Infidels warning: “This bitch needs to disappear.” It came after she sympathised with refugees.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council reiterated their safety advice to MPs on Friday and consider whether they may have any new concerns.
Tory MP Gavin Barwell, who was confronted earlier this month by a knife-wielding man at his Croydon office, said his Westminster colleagues must be able to interact with the public.
He said: “Always have someone with you when you do a surgery, some people still do them on their own which is too much of a risk.
“You are better doing them in a location you can control. We can’t retreat from doing the job.”
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