Abuse of candidates ‘unacceptable’ says Jo Cox Foundation

A foundation set up following the murder of MP Jo Cox has said violence against election candidates “is an affront to democracy.”

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage had items thrown at him while he was in Barnsley on Tuesday, just days after he was covered in milkshake.

Su Moore, CEO at the Jo Cox Foundation, said it was shocking and “completely unacceptable”.

“There is a place in all elections for robust debate, absolutely, but physical violence against candidates is an affront to democracy,” she said.

Mr Farage ducked for cover while on an open-top bus during a campaign visit to the South Yorkshire town.

Photos show a takeaway cup being thrown, with two items missing Mr Farage while another hits the side of the bus.

South Yorkshire Police said it had arrested a 28-year-old man on suspicion of public order offences.

This kind of behaviour was a “really serious issue” which could lead to more extreme violence, Ms Moore said.

The Jo Cox Foundation was launched after Batley and Spen MP Ms Cox was killed by far-right terrorist Thomas Mair in June 2016.

The charity now calls on politicians to be respectful with the general public being told not to abuse or intimidate potential Members of Parliament.

“People don’t realise how serious this is because it isn’t just a bit of heckling out and about in public or some cross words exchanged on social media,” Ms Moore told the BBC.

“It’s things like firebombing people’s houses, having their tyres slashed, people having their families threatened, particularly for female politicians, multiple threats of sexual violence.”

This year, the foundation asked potential candidates to sign their “civility pledge”, to “act with integrity, honesty and compassion, use a civil and constructive tone in debate and behave respectfully towards others, including those [they] disagree with”.

Ms Moore said: “I think people forget that they are people with families.

“Over the next couple of weeks you are likely to see your candidates out and about and yes do engage with them but there is a way of doing that without that tipping over into abuse.”