Harry Harrison

Labour MP Lee Pitcher cancelled a private meeting with Hatfield Town Council about homes in multiple occupation after councillor Michael Glynn encouraged people on Facebook to “greet” him outside the venue. Pitcher said the post spread misinformation and created an unnecessary safety risk for him and his staff. Glynn called the cancellation an excuse and proposed an alternative public meeting, while denying that he intended to threaten the MP. Hatfield mayor Isaiah-John Smith-Reasbeck apologized to Pitcher and condemned attempts to intimidate political figures. Pitcher urged residents to reject hostile political rhetoric.

The leader of Reform UK in Doncaster, Howard Rimmer, deleted a Facebook post that urged the public to blame major political parties for the alleged murder of former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe, prompting criticism from local councillors who warned against inflaming tensions. Rimmer apologised, stating the wording was inappropriate and that his intention was to highlight concerns about increasingly hostile political rhetoric. Police initially found no evidence of political motivation but later confirmed that counter‑terrorism officers had taken over the investigation after re‑arresting a 28‑year‑old man from Rotherham on terrorism‑related suspicions.