Conservative MP Sara Britcliffe warns why becoming desensitised to daily abuse is a ‘slippery slope’ and hopes her experience with a threatening constituent will be a wake-up call for many.

The Hyndburn MP received emails containing chilling messages telling her to leave Accrington “before bad things happen” from a constituent who claimed to know where she lived.

Howard Hudson, 58, of Buckingham Grove, Church admitted to sending emails referring to the MP as ‘Tory scum bag’ with one message stating “family pain hurts”.

Despite becoming desensitised to the abuse she regularly faces as an MP, Miss Britcliffe has spoken out about how she felt genuinely panicked and feared for her own and her family’s safety by Hudson’s messages.

Miss Britcliffe said: “As I said in my statement at the time, I had genuine concern with the emails received, particularly comments made regarding my family.

“I know people will not always agree with me, and some will disagree robustly. That is an essential part of our democracy. 

“Sadly there are some people who feel that abuse is justified, and now a normal part of public life. I have certainly become desensitised to ignoring or deleting it. But as we can see, it is a slippery slope. I hope this is a wake up call that we need more civility in public discourse.

“I’m an MP, which is a public facing role, and I try and help everyone who comes to me with a problem and fight for our area. But I’m also a normal person, and sadly I think some people forget that.”

Hudson pleaded guilty to sending a communication containing a threatening message. He was remanded on bail until May 24 for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Robin Phoenix, defending Hudson described his client as a "keyboard warrior” who lived off benefits and said he had been a recovering alcoholic and had not drunk for five years prior to the day he sent the messages.

Mr Phoenix said: "Fortunately this was stopped at a very early stage and the police attended his address and arrested him. He was taken to the police station, interviewed and released very quickly when the police realised he wasn't a genuine threat."

At the time of receiving the threatening messages, Miss Britcliffe had a friend staying at her home and, on police advice, she contacted her friend and urged them to leave the house immediately.

Miss Britcliffe continued: “I want to thank the police for how pro-active they were on this. The officers who dealt with it are a credit to Lancashire Constabulary. I was sorry to hear of Mr Hudson’s struggles and I hope that he can get the support that he needs.”