Meriden MP reveals "death threats" after announcing retirement

DEPARTURE: The Meriden MP at a meeting
in Kingshurst a few weeks ago.

NORTH Solihull's MP has announced she will not fight another election, after revealing she has suffered death threats and abuse.
Dame Caroline Spelman, who has represented Meriden since 1997, told the BBC she had faced a torrent of personal attacks.
The 61-year-old had previously been expected to stand as the Conservative candidate for a seventh time prior to this week's announcement.
On Wednesday the former cabinet minister had voted against her party to help pass a bill to prevent a no-deal Brexit. She had escaped the fate of more than 20 Tory rebels who had been deselected after defying a three-line whip a day earlier.
Despite this yesterday came confirmation that Dame Caroline would not defend her seat at the next General Election, which now looks almost certain to happen within months.
In a tweet posted on Thursday morning, she said: "It has been a privilege to serve the constituency over the last 22 years, but the time has come for a new person to represent the interests of Meriden in a new Parliament which will be dominated by the consequences of Brexit."
Later in the day she divulged that she and her family, as well as staff, had endured abuse.
Chelmsley Wood councillor Chris Williams (Green) was among those to condemn these tactics.
"When violence and death threats are used as political tools rather than the ballot box, we should all be alarmed," he tweeted.
"@spelmanc being hounded out of politics in this way is wrong. I worry for democracy and for MPs across the political divide."
A candidate for the seat could be found fairly quickly given the likelihood of a contest this autumn.
It remains to be seen if the Tories opt for someone local or if an activist from further afield is selected; as a safe seat, the constituency is likely to attract significant interest from would-be MPs.

Caroline Spelman's career:
1997: Elected as Meriden's MP following the death of Iain Mills earlier that year. Her majority is just over 500.
2001: Joins the shadow cabinet under new Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith.
2007: She is named as the new party chairman - her most senior role to date.
2008: The MP faces controversy over allegations about the payment of her children's nanny.
2010: Appointed Environment Secretary in David Cameron's first cabinet - one of only a handful of women to be handed a senior role in his government.
2012: Returned to backbenches following reshuffle. An unpopular policy to sell off forests - which was ultimately abandoned - is thought to have harmed her prospects.
2016: Is made a Dame in Mr Cameron's 'Resignation Honours List'.
2017: Re-elected by a majority of almost 20,000.
2019: Announces her decision to stand down.