A Labour politician has apologised for a "huge error" after she commented on a Tory MP standing down over fears for his safety.

Anne Clarke, a London Assembly member and Labour councillor, admitted her "insensitive" comment on X following the resignation of Mike Freer, the Conservative MP for Finchley and Golders Green.

This tweet suggested that Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers just needed to step down for "the hat trick of Barnet Tory MPs".

Mr Freer's announcement follows Hendon Tory MP Matthew Offord declaring last May that he would not stand at the next election.

Ham & High: The labour politician has since deleted her tweet, and apologised for the commentThe labour politician has since deleted her tweet, and apologised for the comment (Image: London Assembly)

Ms Clarke later acknowledged the insensitivity of her statement and deleted the post, admitting she had not fully read the Tory MP's letter detailing his reasons for stepping down.

She also said she personally apologised to Mr Freer.

Tory MP Mike Freer announced plans to step down because of threats to his personal safety, including death threats and an arson attack on his constituency office.

He said in a letter to his local Conservative association that he barely escaped an attack from Ali Harbi Ali, the man convicted of murdering Southend West MP Sir David Amess in 2021.

 

Mr Freer told the Daily Mail that "there comes a point when the threats to your personal safety become too much", although said in his resignation letter that stepping away from the position he held since 2010 was "an enormous wrench".

The Tory MP, who is known for his pro-Israel views and represents a largely Jewish constituency, believes there is a link between the intimidation he faced and antisemitism.

Other politicians have also reacted to the news of Mike Freer's resignation.

Ham & High: Mr Freer said in his resignation letter that it has been a 'privilege' to serve the Finchley & Golders Green community Mr Freer said in his resignation letter that it has been a 'privilege' to serve the Finchley & Golders Green community (Image: PA)

Sarah Sackman, Labour’s candidate in Finchley and Golders Green, said she was "shocked" to hear he was standing down and extended her thanks to Mr Freer for his service to the community.

She said in a tweet: "We should have been able to face each other in the polls based on our ideas and merits.

"Instead, politics is now so often skewed by violent language, hate and the dangers of social media."