Bob Russell, the outspoken Lib Dem MP for Colchester – and tuition fees rebel – made it into the news this week after the publication of his robust letter to a constituent who had complained about the cost of the imminent royal wedding.
‘[With] reference to your email raising concerns over the cost to taxpayers for the Royal Wedding next year: Haven’t you got something better to do in your sad life? ‘Bit of a spoilsport, aren’t you? What a miserable person you must be!’
Bob has since had a full mailbag over the issue, with some letters more supportive than others. He tells me he today called in the police because of the abusive tone of a couple of abusive messages which “threatened violence against the person and physical damage”.
“There were quite a few nasty messages, while some were very supportive, but these ones went too far and I have referred them to the police this afternoon,” he tells FT Westminster.
Jim Pickard
Kiran Stacey