Man arrested in connection with threatening behaviour towards MP Mike Freer

Police have arrested a man in connection with threatening behaviour towards Mike Freer MP in north-west London.

In a statement the Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrest of a 46-year-old man on Tuesday, 6 February on suspicion of malicious communication.

It was confirmed that an an “abusive and threatening phone call” was reported to police from Finchley and Golders Green MP Freer’s office on 1 February.

Police said the man arrested remains in custody at a north London police station.

Detective Superintendent Will Lexton-Jones, from the local policing team in north-west London, said: “It is vitally important for elected officials and their staff they can be confident in their safety and security, and we are committed to ensuring this.

“Today’s arrest sends a clear message we will not tolerate threats or aggression of any kind towards elected officials. We will deal quickly and robustly with such offences.

“We are in regular contact with MPs and other elected officials and fully recognise the growing concerns they are telling us about their safety, and as you would expect, we have kept Mr Freer MP updated throughout this investigation including today’s arrest.”

Freer had last week announced he was stepping down from politics at the next election citing threats and intimidation as the reason for his decision.

Tuesday’s arrest follows a separate investigation into an arson attack at the same MP’s office in Finchley on 24 December 2023.

A man and a woman have been remanded in custody after being charged with arson with intent to endanger life.

This investigation established the offence was not a hate crime and the two incidents are not believed to be linked.