Siobhan Baillie condemns the "vile" act and highlights increasing hostility towards public figures
A box containing faeces has been discovered outside the constituency office of Conservative MP Siobhan Baillie in Stroud, Gloucestershire, leading to a police investigation. The MP, who has represented Stroud since 2019, condemned the incident, describing it as "nastiness" and stressing that such acts of aggression have no place in political discourse.
In a statement on Monday, Baillie expressed her dismay, stating: “There are countless ways to express political views without resorting to disgusting acts like putting excrement in a box. The growing hostility we face is making it harder for decent people to consider running for public office.”
Alongside the faeces, it was reported that the box contained a derogatory message, adding to the offence. Gloucestershire Constabulary confirmed that an investigation into the harassment claim was underway. A spokesperson from the force noted: “We are looking into an allegation of harassment after an offensive item was left outside Ms Baillie’s constituency office.”
This is not the first time Baillie has faced hostility. During her maternity leave in 2020, she was subjected to vitriolic messages from constituents angry over the Dominic Cummings lockdown scandal. One letter, written during the height of the controversy involving Cummings, demanded a response from the MP despite her being on maternity leave, stating: “I don’t care that she has just given birth.” Another constituent described her absence as a “dereliction of duty.”
At the time, Baillie's senior assistant, Harriet Butcher, defended the MP’s right to maternity leave, pointing out that much of the hostility came from men who seemed to disregard the legal protections afforded by the Equality Act 2010. “Siobhan has an absolute legal right to take maternity leave, and her intention is to take a minimum of four weeks, which is already less than she is entitled to,” Butcher explained.
Baillie and Gloucestershire Constabulary have yet to provide further comments on the incident.
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