An MP has called for zero tolerance of threatening and abusive behaviour to public service workers, including MPs.

Natalie Elphicke, for Dover and Deal, has previously condemned extremists who attacked her constituency office causing her staff fear.

She now says she has also had death threats.

She spoke out again following the killing of colleague Sir David Amess on Friday and others repeatedly receiving poisonous messages.

Mrs Elphicke said: “Too often some people subject public sector workers, including members of Parliament, to abuse and insults as well as threats of personal and physical violence.

"That includes people working on our local trains, in our shops and at doctors' surgeries.

This threatening and abusive behaviour is taking place in person, over the phone, on email and by cowards hiding behind the anonymity of social media.

"Hardly a day seems to pass when I don’t get a threat of physical violence, including death threats, and stomach churning vile abuse.

She added: “Last week’s shocking attack on Sir David Amess must be a final wake up call that it’s got to stop. It’s now time for this issue to be dealt with fully and properly.

"Whatever, the public facing role is, people should be able to work in safety.

"Personal attacks of any kind are simply not acceptable.”

In July Mrs Elphicked told how her consiutuency office in Walmer had been repeatedly vandalised during the coronavirus lockdown periods including by someone putting glue on the front door lock.

Sir David, Conservative MP for Southend West, was stabbed to death on Friday at one of his surgeries, on Leigh-on-Sea.

Essex Police arrested a 25-year-old man on suspicion of murder at the scene.

Police on Saturday were granted a warrant of further detention, which allows detectives to hold the man until October 22. He is in custody at a London police station.

The Metropolitan Police declared the incident an act of terrorism.

MPs will pay tribute to Sir David in the House of Commons at 3.30pm today, which Mrs Elphicke will attend.

"He lived a life of duty, sacrifice, commitment and service to others..."

Mrs Elphicke and Sir David had been friends and she also described him as a "friend of Dover."

In June he had helped launch an appeal to put up a statue in the area to honour wartime singer Dame Vera Lynn.

Mrs Elphicke said: "David spoke about Dame Vera’s life, her values, her charitable good works and tremendous spirit. He spoke movingly of her signature song and how right it is that she will be remembered, alongside her famous bluebirds, at the White Cliffs.

"He was a great entertainer as well as an effective campaigner. My enduring memories of David will be us together arm in arm singing along to Dame Vera songs in Dover’s Maison Dieu. Him taking selfies at the foot of the White Cliffs."

She also said that Sir David was a fellow Catholic and added: "He lived a life of duty, sacrifice, commitment and service to others. He understood struggle and pain.

"But he also enjoyed life. He loved people. He had a lightness and vivacity. A love of life and an enthusiasm that drew people to him and was infectious.

"He was kind and fun. He was down to earth with a solid sense of decency and traditional values. In all my dealings with him he was unfailingly courteous and generous.

"He had a powerful sense of right and wrong. Of justice and injustice. Of how things should be done. He had an extraordinary knack, an insight, for just what to say, as well as when to say it."

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