A man has been arrested over reports of a series of abusive phone calls which were aimed at Angela Rayner MP.
Greater Manchester Police says a woman in Ashton-under-Lyne, the town Ms Rayner represents in Parliament, has reported multiple threatening and abusive phone calls, emails and letters over recent weeks.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Ms Rayner confirmed that she has received threatening communications and that police are investigating.
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This morning (October 27) officers from GMP attended an address in Halifax, West Yorkshire, and arrested a 52-year-old man.
He was arrested on suspicion of malicious communications and has since been released on bail pending further enquiries, GMP says.
His arrest relates to abusive phone calls received on Friday, October 15, and police enquiries remain ongoing.
Det Sgt Christopher Dean, of GMP's Tameside district, said: "Abusive, threatening or bullying behaviour towards anyone is completely unacceptable and we will always do what we can to ensure those responsible are identified and held accountable for their behaviour.
"Although we have arrested one man our investigation very much remains ongoing and we will continue to pursue all available lines of enquiry to identify all those responsible."
A spokesman for Angela Rayner added: “Angela and her staff have received a number of threatening, malicious and abusive communications in recent weeks.
“We are working with the police to ensure that the perpetrators of these crimes are brought to justice and Angela would like to thank the police for their work during these investigations.
“Abuse and threats of this nature don’t just have an impact on Angela but also on her family, her children and her staff who are on the receiving end of these communications.
“Angela is currently on bereavement leave after losing a close loved one and she looks forward to being back at work as soon as possible.”
Ms Rayner, whose constituency includes Failsworth and Droylsden, is one of Labour's most high-profile MPs.
A shadow cabinet member under former leader Jeremy Corbyn, she was elected as deputy leader last April on the same day Sir Keir Starmer took the party reins.
Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or use GMP's LiveChat function at gmp.police.uk quoting 3488 of October 22, 2021.
Alternatively, details can be passed on anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Anyone who has been a victim of hate is urged to visit gmvictims.org.uk to access victim support and information.
Hate crime can be reported online at gmp.police.uk or by calling 101.
