'Punish a Muslim': Fourth Muslim Labour MP sent suspicious package with letter advocating violence

Four Muslim Labour MPs have been sent suspicious packages over the last 48 hours with copies of a 'Punish a Muslim' letter that calls for violence against Muslims.

Rupa Huq, the MP for Ealing Central and Acton, was the latest to receive the letter today, after copies were reportedly opened by staff for Rushanara Ali (Bethnal Green and Bow) and Mohammad Yasin (Bedford). A fourth package was sent to the Manchester Gorton MP, Afzal Khan, but was not opened, according to the Guardian.

A member of Huq's staff was today taken to hospital as a precaution after opening the letter, which Huq told the Guardian contained a 'sticky substance' that the police had described as 'low-level noxious'.

The Palace of Westminster Reuters

This came after two people were taken to hospital yesterday, also as a precaution when a package leaking a suspicious liquid was sent to Yasin's office.

Police are now investigating the 'Punish a Muslim' letter, which has been distributed across the country and details a list of violent acts to be performed against Muslims.

A group which monitors anti-Muslim hate crimes, Tell Mama UK, said that it had received reports of people in Bradford, Leicester, London, Cardiff and Sheffield receiving the letters.

Huq told the Guardian that she had been assured that the substance was not harmful. But, she said: 'It is horrible though, it's really very frightening. It is to put the frighteners on us but we won't be cowed. I'm sure I won't be the last and I'm sure this is part of a pattern of targeting Muslim MPs. Among my colleagues, people have shown support but they are outraged.'

All four of the packages sent to MPs have been found in the Norman Shaw north building in the parliamentary estate, which is linked by a walkway to Portcullis House.

A parliamentary spokesman confirmed that four packages had been sent to the building in recent days and that police were investigating the latest package.

The spokesman added: 'This is further to the two items investigated yesterday, both of which were found to be non-harmful. The police are investigating the content of the letters to identify any potential link.'

A Metropolitan police spokesman said: 'Police were called at 9.49am on Tuesday, March 13 to reports of a suspicious package at Norman Shaw Buildings, Victoria Embankment, Westminster. Specialist officers have been called and the package will be assessed.'

News
Report calls for standardisation and specialism in RE
Report calls for standardisation and specialism in RE

An independent review into the national curriculum for schools has highlighted the urgent need for standardised religious education (RE) across the country and greater subject specialism to ensure “mastery in the subject”. 

GP body shifts to ‘unwarranted and misleading’ neutral stance on assisted suicide despite declining support
GP body shifts to ‘unwarranted and misleading’ neutral stance on assisted suicide despite declining support

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) is facing criticism after changing from its longstanding opposition to assisted suicide to a neutral stance, despite a significant reduction in support among its members for legalising the practice.

Faith leaders pray for Trump
Faith leaders pray for Trump

Faith leaders have gathered to pray for President Trump, but not everyone is happy.

Rare pre-Reformation scroll to go on display in York
Rare pre-Reformation scroll to go on display in York

An extremely rare pre-Reformation scroll will go on display after being found in a shoebox.