Labour MP speaks out on death threats and election abuse

Ms Ali reported weeks of abuse, threats and disinformation during an “unprecedented” campaign of harassment throughout the election.

A letter sent to Ms Ali’s office, and seen by the BBC, promised the Labour MP would be “smashed and killed” within days.

Protests outside her office and personal threats were also frequent, she said.

I had to have protection officers because Labour campaign gatherings would “attract certain individuals who would threaten violence,” Ms Ali said.

On election day a vehicle parked outside a polling station with “someone on a microphone shouting abuse” left constituents who trying to vote “cowed”, she told the BBC.

“There’s a real concern here in the community about the level of hostility, and that’s sliding into political violence – which is what we’ve seen,” she said.

“I spent as much time talking to the police and responding to threats and hostilities during this campaign as I did talking to voters.”

During her 14-years representing Bethnal Green “we’ve seen a lot, but not this level of hostility,” Ms Ali said.

Ms Ali said groups had been “weaponising” what she said was “legitimate anger about what’s happening” in Gaza.

Independent candidate Ajmal Masroor, who came second to Ms Ali, criticised her over her decision to abstain on a key vote calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Despite abstaining on the ceasefire vote, Ms Ali stated she consistently called for an end to hostilities and Labour’s stance was always aimed at achieving peace in the region.

But campaigners used the issue to try and turn a significant Bangladeshi Muslim community in the area against her, she said.

At mosques in the area, worshippers were told “if you vote for Labour or one of the other mainstream parties, then you’re not a good Muslim,” she said.

“People have the right to protest, but threats and harassment are unacceptable,” Ms Ali said.