Police have arrested a man in his 20s after Labour MP Sharon Hodgson’s constituency office was devastated by a fire overnight.
Northumbria Police said the suspect is in police custody after the Washington and Gateshead South MP’s office in Concord, Washington, was allegedly set ablaze and daubed with graffiti.
Shocking aerial images shows the extent of the damage caused to Ms Hodgson’s office, with its roof almost entirely destroyed.
The words, ‘328 days blood on your hands’, were scrawled on the walls of the building in spray paint.
A Northumbria Police spokesman said: ‘Emergency services attended and no-one is reported to have been injured in the incident.
‘A man in his 20s has subsequently been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and arson.
‘He remains in police custody at this time.’
Ms Hodgson is vice-chair of Labour Friends of Israel and has been vocal about anti-Semitism.
A spokesperson for Ms Hodgson said: ‘An incident occurred overnight at Sharon’s office.
‘We will not be commenting or speculating while there is an ongoing police investigation, what we are clear on is there is no place for this kind of violence in our society.
‘Sharon will not be deterred and will continue to support her constituents in Washington and Gateshead South as she does day in, day out.
‘Constituents should get in touch with their issues by emailing in the usual way.’
Police are investigating an ‘incident’ at Labour MP Sharon Hodgson’s constituency office after it was seen ablaze and daubed in graffiti
Aerial photographs show the extent of the damage at Ms Hodgson’s office
The words ‘328 days blood on your hands’ were scrawled on the walls of the building
Fellow Labour MP Ian Lavery, who represents Blyth and Ashington, posted a picture of Ms Hodgson’s office in flames.
He wrote on Facebook: ‘This is what happens when a climate of intolerance collides with lies, misinformation, and smears.
‘Over the past week, I’ve heard of colleagues facing horrific threats, being abused in public, and now, most shockingly, an office that had its windows smashed twice in a week has been hit by a suspected arson attack.
‘Sharon Hodgson is one of the kindest, most compassionate people you could ever meet.
‘She has served her community with dedication and care for nearly two decades. This attack is not just criminal, it is an outrageous assault on our democracy.’
Mr Lavery added: ‘If this continues unchecked, someone is going to be killed.’
The office was damaged overnight and daubed with graffiti in a suspected arson attack
There is a significant police and fire brigade presence at the site as investigations take place
Ms Hodgson is MP for Washington and Gateshead South
Downing Street has also condemned the attack on Ms Hodgson’s office, saying politicians should be able to go about their work ‘freely and with confidence.’
On social media, City of Durham Labour MP Mary Kelly Foy wrote: ‘After the shocking murder of a political influencer mere hours ago in the US, MPs in the UK woke to scenes of one of our colleagues’ offices being targeted.
‘No matter which part of the political spectrum you fall into – this is intimidation by thugs and they must face the full force of the law.
‘Serious thought needs to be given to how this impacts staff in constituency offices, like Sharon’s, who frankly work their a***s off every day to support local people.
‘Anyone supporting this type of violence toward MPs and their teams needs to take a long hard look in the mirror.
John Foster is a member of Eagle Archery, which uses the one of the building’s adjoining Mrs Hodgson’s office.
He said: ‘I arrived this morning to attend a practice session to find the entrance blocked off by police cars and tape.
‘The building looks a bit of a mess. If this has been done deliberately then it’s shocking behaviour but people think they can get away with it.’
One local resident said: ‘There are surely more democratic ways to protest about things.
‘Other businesses look like they have also been affected. It’s difficult enough for local businesses at the moment without this.’
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