Police have launched an investigation after Jeremy Hunt’s constituency office was vandalized with graffiti. The incident occurred as he finalized Wednesday’s Budget, with doors and windows of the Chancellor’s headquarters in Hindhead, Surrey, being daubed with “Die Tory scum” graffiti in white spray paint on Monday evening.
Mr. Hunt responded to the attack, stating, “The British people are famously tolerant, which is why we have one of the most robust democracies in the world. A few idiots won’t deter us.”
This incident is part of aggressive or criminal acts against MPs, their homes, and offices. Home Secretary James Cleverly recently announced bolstered security measures, including a £31 million package to provide elected politicians with a dedicated police contact.
Paul Harwood, 42, admitted to setting fire to a shed belonging to Tory MP Mike Freer at his constituency office in north Finchley on Christmas Eve but denied it was politically motivated.
Andrea Jenkyns also revealed receiving a threatening email directed at her young son, stating, “I’m really angry about this. They’re not going to silence me!”
Tory backbencher Tobias Ellwood’s home was targeted last month by pro-Palestine protesters. Additionally, the family homes of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer have been set upon by environmental activists.
Two weeks ago, four people were arrested after a Conservative fundraising event in Stoke-on-Trent was disrupted by a “disgusting hate mob,” forcing it to be closed down.
Surrey Police have issued an appeal for information over the graffiti at Mr. Hunt’s office and ask that anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage come forward.
The incident is believed to have taken place between 8 pm and 9 pm on Monday, March 4, and no one was present in the property at the time of the criminal damage.