Labour MP’s house ‘attacked with a sledgehammer’ just days after his overwhelming election victory

A Greater Manchester MP has vowed: “I will not be intimidated” after a sledgehammer was used in an attack on his home.

Labour MP Andrew Western, 39, was re-elected as MP for Stretford and Urmston following Thursday’s general election, but just 48 hours later his home was attacked and someone was said to have smashed his property with a sledgehammer.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) will now investigate the incident. Mr Western says he is “absolutely fine” and no one was injured. However, he decided to address the incident publicly to raise awareness of the “harassment, intimidation and abuse” that politicians regularly face.

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In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Western said: “I debated whether to post this but I’m sorry to have to say it: there was an incident at my home last night which is being investigated by the police as part of Operation Bridger. I am absolutely fine and no one was hurt but the toxicity of our current politics needs to be brought to light.”

“Harassment, intimidation and abuse of politicians is not OK and is not normal. However, it is becoming more common. I am proud to represent the people of Stretford and Urmston and I will not be intimidated as I try to serve them to the best of my ability.”

He added: “I would like to thank GMP for their excellent response and say that these idiots do not speak for our community and I will do everything I can to ensure they never do.”

Responding to a social media site user’s comment that it was “probably just someone having a laugh,” Mr Western said: “I’ll tell you that when someone comes hitting your property with a sledgehammer.”

“That’s exactly the kind of answer that got me thinking. At some point people will realise what MPs are having to put up with more and more often.”

Operation Bridger is a nationwide police protection programme for MPs. It was launched in 2016 following the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox. GMP has been contacted for comment.

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Mr Western has lived in Trafford all his life, grew up in Timperley and joined the Labour Party at the age of 17. He became leader of Trafford Council in 2018 and was twice selected as Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Altrincham and Sale West in 2017 and 2019 – both times reducing the Tory majority.

He then won the Stretford seat at a 2022 by-election called in response to the resignation of former Labour frontbencher Kate Green to become Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester.

In the vote on Thursday, he was able to extend his lead to over 16,000 votes. He received 22,642 votes, while his Conservative rival Mark Cornes came in a distant second with 6,492 votes.

He then said: “I would like to thank the people of Stretford and Urmston who have once again overwhelmingly placed their trust in me and the Labour Party. I will not let you down. It is an honour to be your representative.”

“It was an incredible evening. Change was promised and it was delivered. After 14 years of chaos, I look forward to playing my part in bringing about this change.”

Greater Manchester Police have been contacted for comment.

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