Can you make NATO ‘Trump-proof’? Labour MP’s home reportedly attacked with sledgehammer

The home of a Labour MP was allegedly attacked with a sledgehammer following the result of the British general election.

Andrew Western, who was re-elected as MP for Stretford and Urmston on Thursday, claimed the incident happened on Saturday evening and police have since launched an investigation.

He said he was “absolutely fine” and “no one was hurt,” but warned that “the toxicity of our current politics needs to be brought to light” as “harassment, intimidation and abuse” of politicians “is becoming increasingly common.”

Previously, Shabana Mahmood and Jess Phillips had reported on their own frightening experiences during the election campaign.

Mahmood said “masked men” disrupted a town hall meeting and “instilled fear and terror in those present.” Phillips, meanwhile, claimed that an activist campaigning with her had her car tires slashed. She described it as the “worst” election she had ever taken part in.

All three MPs faced competition from pro-Gaza candidates, with Mahmood and Phillips narrowly retaining their seats against their respective rivals – an independent and one from George Galloway’s Workers Party.

In his race, Western was well ahead of the Workers Party candidate, who only came fourth.

In her victory speech, Ms Mahmood attacked those who had questioned their Muslim faith because of the Labour Party’s stance on Gaza. “It is never acceptable to deny someone their faith and brand them an infidel,” she said.

Phillips, who was heckled and booed by pro-Palestinian supporters during her acceptance speech, said: “I see we’re going to continue with the class that we had during the campaign… I understand that a strong woman standing up to you would be met with so much reticence.”

She thanked West Midlands Police for their response to the “aggression we suffered during the election campaign” and concluded: “I didn’t bring my children here tonight because I knew this was going to happen and they deserve better.”

In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter) yesterday, Western said Saturday night’s alleged incident was being investigated by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) as part of Operation Bridger, which was launched in 2016 following the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox.

He thanked the police for their “excellent response” and stressed: “These idiots do not speak for our community and I will do everything I can to make sure they never do.”