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Grimsby MP Melanie Onn has been told she should be 'gunned down' after she ruled out supporting a second referendum.

The vile threat has been reported to police and fellow Labour MPs – include those backing giving the public a final say – have leapt to their colleague’s defence, calling the attack 'disgraceful'.

Ms Onn wrote to constituency Labour Party members at the weekend to inform them that she would rather quit her Shadow Housing Minister role than back a so-called ‘People’s Vote’.

Grimsby voted by 70 per cent to leave the European Union at the 2016 referendum and Ms Onn believes attitudes in the town have not significantly shifted since then.

(Image: Jon Corken)

But the move has seen her targeted by pro-second referendum supporters on social media and via email.

Ms Onn tweeted on Wednesday morning that a person named “Helen” had emailed her calling the North East Lincolnshire MP a “traitor” for her stance.

She quoted from the email on the social media website, saying: “How not to win people round to your cause.....

‘You are a f***ing traitor you silly f***ing b*tch. We will remember your actions you spineless sh*t. Watch your back as you will not be forgiven. TRAITOR.’ Thanks Helen.”

The attacks did not end there, with the opposition front bench MP telling followers that “Helen” had followed up on their initial email, telling her: “The likes of you should be f***ing gunned down.”

Ms Onn called for calm in the Brexit debate and said public figures should not be made to feel intimidated.

“Everyone in Grimsby knows I've never backed down from a debate, even when I've had an unpopular point of view (including at the referendum), but we must be allowed to have an opinion without this nonsense,” she said.

Ms Onn, who campaigned to remain during the referendum, told the Grimsby Telegraph that words such as “traitor” were not helpful in the debate on Britain’s’ future.

She wants MPs to work to find a Brexit deal that can gather a “coalition” of support.

“We must be free to speak according to our own circumstances,” she said.

“Our constituencies around the country will all have very different views and we must be free, without fear of being shouted down, including in this place, or accused somehow of being an enabler, a traitor or whatever it is. Those terms and choices have to be changed.”

Humber neighbour Diana Johnson, Labour MP for Hull North, said Ms Onn was “standing up for her constituents and doing her job”.

She said: “Abuse in any job is just not acceptable we wouldn’t tolerate this hatred against teachers or doctors. Melanie Onn is a brilliant MP standing up for her constituents and doing her job. Proud to call her a colleague and friend.”

poll loading Do you believe that support for holding a second referendum is growing? 1000+ VOTES SO FAR Yes - people have become disillusioned with Brexit No - I don't know anyone who wants a second vote Not sure - I avoid all conversations about Brexit

Labour whip Thangam Debbonaire said the language of the email was “dangerous”. The Bristol MP tweeted: “Disgraceful and threatening. An example of how dangerous this polarised attitude to the next Brexit steps has become. Solidarity and love to you Mel.”

Pro-second referendum supporter Stella Creasy, Labour MP for Walthamstow in London, branded the remarks “horrific”.

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