UK government adviser warns of rising assassination threat amid toxic political climate

The UK's political violence adviser warned that the growing "toxic, dangerous environment" in public life heightens the risk of an assassination attempt on a British politician. He urged the home secretary to investigate the intimidation of election candidates.

On Friday, John Woodcock wrote to Yvette Cooper to convey his concerns that several events during the election campaign could have been part of a "concerted campaign by extremists" that "underlined the gravity of the threat to our democracy."

Woodcock, also known as Lord Walney, stated in an interview with the Guardian that the alleged attempt to assassinate Donald Trump was "a vivid reminder of the vulnerability of all politicians."

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“We have seen the growth in the UK of US-style politics of aggressive confrontation and intimidation which is unfortunately, exactly the toxic environment that could lead to another assassination attempt on a UK politician, of which we have already tragically seen a number in recent years,” Woodcock said.

In the UK, the recently concluded elections saw more political candidates and their staff receiving threats and intimidation during the campaign.

Woodcock stated that he believed intimidation was increasingly employed as "a core electoral strategy to try to either get candidates defeated or bully candidates into submission."

He added that there was a particular pattern of abuse "created by aggressive pro-Palestine activists."

“The stories coming back from constituencies, from election campaigns are horrific. I think our frontline politicians were shaken before this and they have come back from the campaign determined to do something about it," he said.

"And the question is now what measures will be effective and how you create the atmosphere for a change of culture,” Woodcock added.

Woodcock said on Sunday that in addition to providing stronger security at MPs' offices, he wants the home secretary to "call an urgent review of the environment around Whitehall" where "there can be clear points of vulnerability" for MPs.

He said, “It’s a toxic, dangerous environment. And we have to keep reminding ourselves that we’re not talking in theoretical terms."

"We are blessed to have the sister of Jo Cox in parliament today, but she started her political career in the aftermath of her sister being murdered; David Amess was assassinated," he continued.

“The threat is real and thankfully there has been a big increase in the amount of protection that is offered to MPs, but unless we can do more to address the culture that is driving this there will always be an element of mortal risk to our politicians because the whole of our democracy is based on connection with the public and MPs and councillors would never have it any other way,” Woodcock said.

(With inputs from agencies)