Tory MP reveals kidnapping threat against his wife

A Tory MP has revealed a social media troll threatened to kidnap his wife and condemned the ‘constant torrent of negativity’ against politicians online.

© Getty Images Contributor
Tory MP Reveals Kidnapping Threat Against His Wife – Getty Images

Ben Bradley, who was first elected from the Nottinghamshire town of Mansfield in 2017, said he was unsure about defending his seat following his experiences.

The 32-year-old said police had to intervene and arrest a man who threatened him with pepper spray during his first-ever surgery in his constituency.

In an interview with GB News, he added that people who sent anonymous slurs to politicians online “do not understand the impact of their words today”.

“They threatened to kidnap my wife once, which was good. Social media is ridiculous, but you never know how seriously you have to take these things,” he said.

“On the one hand, he’s probably a kid, a keyboard warrior who never will, but if you ignore him and something happens, you’ll never forgive yourself.

“Police met at his door and it turned out to be a teenager who burst into tears as soon as they walked through the door.

“People don’t understand the impact of their words today when it comes to Twitter in particular.”

Mr Bradley said he is ‘not sure if my wife would want me to stay’ in Parliament but could instead become the local mayor.

He also praised the police for their response to the incident during his first surgery in 2017, adding: “You have a handful, five to ten people who are just yours all the time.

“Usually they have pretty serious mental health issues and are probably in all the other agencies in the area as well.”

He said the “constant stream” of abuse he receives on social media sometimes leaves him thinking “why do I bother” with politics.

Although unsure whether he will stand in the next election himself, the MP for Mansfield said he still backed Boris Johnson to lead the Tories to victory.

“Nobody engages with people like he does, and for every email I get saying he’s awful and should go, I get another one saying he’s brilliant. , never get rid of it,” Bradley said.

“Unless someone comes forward with a brilliant Messiah-like vision of what he’s going to do better or different, he’s the best chance we have as far as I can see.”

Sign up for the free Front Page newsletter: Your essential guide to The Telegraph’s daily agenda – straight to your inbox seven days a week.