Jeremy Hunt's constituency office vandalised as 'die Tory scum' splatted across windows

Surrey Police have opened an investigation after the graffiti was discovered on Tuesday morning.

The MP for South West Surrey insisted he would not be “deterred” by the attack on his office.

“The British people are famously tolerant, which is why we have one of the most robust democracies in the world. We won’t be deterred by a few idiots,” he told The Daily Express.

A spokesperson for the force said: “Officers were called following reports of criminal damage at a property on Tilford Road in Hindhead, which is believed to have taken place between 8pm and 9pm on Monday 4 March.

“The criminal damage involved graffiti being sprayed on the windows on the outside of the property. No one was present in the property at the time of the criminal damage.

“If anyone has any information that could help our investigation, including any CCTV, dashcam or helmet cam footage, please contact us via live chat on our website quoting PR/45240025530.”

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• Liam Halligan gives the lowdown on today’s crucial Budget and tells Chancellor to address KEY sector: ‘Getting hammered!’
• Budget 2024 LIVE: Jeremy Hunt to slash key tax as devastating new poll exposes challenge for Tories
• Chancellor should increase tax on firms using foreign workers , says Suella Braverman

The incident comes amid increased concerns regarding MPs’ security and safety, with Rishi Sunak raising the topic during his address to the nation last week.

Last month, three female politicians were given private security amid growing fears for the safety and wellbeing of MPs.

The MPs, who have not been named but are from both the Conservative and Labour, are using chauffeur-driven cars and are being accompanied by bodyguards.

The system which assigns security details was first created after an Isis supporter murdered Sir David Amess in October 2021.

Tom Tugendhat, the security minister, is understood to have been working with the Home Office, police chiefs and parliamentary authorities to strengthen the safety and security of MPs.

In February, chaos erupted in the House of Commons after the Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle broke with convention to allow a vote on a Labour amendment to the SNP’s motion calling for an immediate ceasefire, a move he said he did to protect MPs.

He said: “I will defend every member in this house. Both sides, I never ever want to go through a situation where I pick up a phone to find a friend, whatever side, has been murdered by terrorists. I also don’t want an attack on this house.”

Hoyle added: “The details of the things that have been brought to me are absolutely frightening. I am guilty because I have a duty of care that I will carry out to protect people. It is the protection that led me to make the wrong decision.”