Threats against female MPs having ‘chilling effect’ on women in public life, minister says

Security minister Dan Jarvis has announced new security measures ahead of May's local elections

Threats against female MPs are having a chilling effect" on talented women thinking of going into public life but deciding not to, security minister Dan Jarvis has said.

Warning that there was an unprecedented" volume of threats against elected representatives - including assaults, vandalism, stalking and a blizzard of online abuse" - Jarvis announced new security measures ahead of the local elections.