Pro-Palestine protesters cover MP's office in red paint in 'threatening' attack

Labour MP Jo Stevens had her office vandalised by Palestine supports this week, in what she described as a "threatening" attack on the property.

Jo Stevens
Millie Cooke

By Millie Cooke


Published: 17/11/2023

- 14:47

Updated: 17/11/2023

- 15:44

Posters left at the property accused Stevens of having 'blood on her hands'

Labour MP Jo Stevens had her office vandalised by Palestine supports this week, in what she described as a "threatening" attack on the property.

Her office was splattered with red paint and covered in posters, accusing the MP of having "blood" on her hands.


The incident occurred during an event Stevens described as a "vigil".

It came after the MP abstained from an SNP amendment calling for an immediate ceasefire.

Labour MPs were under a three-line whip to abstain from the vote. But a total of 56 Labour MPs defied Starmer to vote with the SNP.

Stevens told the BBC the incident was "intimidating" and "threatening".

She said: "I absolutely support the right to protest, but what was done last night has gone way beyond that.

"If you have someone write murder across your door, it is intimidating."

South Wales Police said it is investigating criminal damage, adding that "a number of items have been seized for examination".

MPs voted 293 to 125, a majority of 168, to reject the SNP’s amendment calling for a ceasefire in Israel and Gaza.

Sir Keir Starmer has refused to back a ceasefire, saying such a move would only "embolden Hamas".

Instead, the Labour leader has mirrored Rishi Sunak's position, calling for humanitarian pauses.

In a statement after the vote, the Labour leader said he will not back down on the issue, saying: "Leadership is about doing the right thing".

Jo Stevens Office

Her office was splattered with red paint and covered in posters, accusing the MP of having "blood" on her hands

Jo Stevens

Starmer faced the most significant rebellion against his leadership during the vote, with ten members of his Shadow Cabinet being forced to quit after breaking with party line.

The rebels included Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence, Jess Philips - one of Labour's most recognisable faces - and Yasmin Qureshi, Shadow Women and Equalities Minister.

An 11th frontbencher, Helen Hayes, also broke with the party line to speak up for a ceasefire in the preceding debate, but has not been forced to quit as she did not vote with the SNP's amendment.

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