Watford’s MP has said he felt the need to maintain a public presence in the aftermath of Labour MP Jo Cox’s murder earlier this year.
The Labour MP and mother of two, 41, was attacked in her Batley and Spen constituency in West Yorkshire as she headed to a constituency surgery in June.
She was shot and stabbed repeatedly by 53-year-old Thomas Mair, who was handed a whole life sentence last month due to the “exceptional seriousness” of his crimes, which the judge described as an “act of terror”.
READ MORE: 'This was a random act of nonsensical violence': Richard Harrington pays tribute to Jo Cox
Her death reverberated around the country’s political landscape, forcing many political figures to carefully consider their security arrangements.
However Richard Harrington, MP for Watford, said he and many other Members of Parliament felt they had to “continue reaching out to people and being visible in the community”, rather than shying away from the limelight.
“It is part of the job that we do and the most important principle of our democracy, to be accountable to those you represent,” he said.
“To be sensible, in the immediate aftermath of her death we met with Watford’s police for a security briefing.
“Jo Cox’s death was terribly tragic, however I do feel safe.”
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