Labour MP Sarah Champion increases security after 'death threats' in wake of race row

Liz Bates

Labour MP Sarah Champion has been forced to increase security measures in her constituency after receiving death threats in the wake of a race row, it has been reported.



The Rotheram MP sparked controversy last year when she claimed there was “a problem with British Pakistani men raping and exploiting white girls,” in an article for the Sun.

The remarks came on the back of the Rotherham grooming scandal, which saw thousands of girls abused and exploited over years in the town.

Ms Champion was forced to step down as shadow women and equalities minister in the wake of the article, and has since triggered a local backlash.

Community groups and left-wing activists have called for her to stand down, and she has been subject to death threats, according to the Times.

The threats prompted the counterterror unit in Scotland Yard to increase her security risk and advise her to accept extra protection.

Councillor Taiba Yasseen, who is part of the local Momentum movement, is reportedly being lined up as a potential successor.

She has previously accused Ms Champion for “betraying an entire ethnic group”.

The leader of local charity Just Yorkshire has also attacked Ms Champion publicly, saying she was responsible for “industrial-scale racism” and “inciting and inviting hatred against minorities”.

Meanwhile, the former deputy leader of Rotherham Council, Jahangir Akhtar, described Ms Champion as an “ogre” in corrsepondence seen by the Times.

He warned: “If Labour wants to keep her seat, they need to get rid of her pretty quick.”

Ms Champion declined to comment on the matter when approached by the paper.