Man arrested over threatening phone call to MP Mike Freer

Finchley and Golders Green MP Mike Freer's office contacted the Metropolitan Police last Thursday (February 1) to report that the Conservative minister had an abusive and threatening phone call the previous day.

A 46-year-old man was arrested today (February 6) on suspicion of malicious communication.

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He remains in custody at a north London police station.

The arrest follows a separate investigation into an arson attack at Mr Freer's office in Ballards Lane, Finchley, on Christmas Eve (December 24).

A man and a woman have been remanded in custody after being charged with arson with intent to endanger life.

The Met's investigation established the offence was not a hate crime and the two incidents are not believed to be linked.

Mr Freer has said he will stand down at the next general election after a series of death threats and the arson attack.

Det Supt Will Lexton-Jones, from the local policing team in north-west London, said: "It is vitally important for elected officials and their staff they can be confident in their safety and security, and we are committed to ensuring this.

"Today’s arrest sends a clear message we will not tolerate threats or aggression of any kind towards elected officials. We will deal quickly and robustly with such offences.

"We are in regular contact with MPs and other elected officials and fully recognise the growing concerns they are telling us about their safety, and as you would expect, we have kept Mr Freer MP updated throughout this investigation including today’s arrest.”

The Met said it continues to review the support it provides to MPs and their staff to ensure the right measures are in place to keep them safe through its Operation Bridger operation.

A Met spokesperson said: "Any MPs who continue to have general concerns about their security can contact their local Operation Bridger officer.

"Should any MPs or their staff have any immediate concerns about their safety then they should contact their local police force straight away or call 999."