South Yorkshire MP sent abuse on Twitter over free school meals vote

Alexander Stafford MP voted against extending free school meals during the school holidays until next Easter, following an impassioned campaign by Manchester United player Marcus Rashford.

Conservative MPs voted against the measure, which sparked widespread anger around the UK.

Abuse mentioning Mr Stafford's mum was directed at the MP over Twitter, in response to a Tweet about the vote, which was hashtagged "#ToryScumOut".

In response, Mr Stafford retweeted the comment, adding: "For those that have been asking, here is that vile (and obviously untrue in so many ways) tweet."

Mr Stafford tweeted a screenshot of other abusive tweets he had received, which mentioned his mum and nan, adding: "So much foul and vileness on here."

Mr Rashford tweeted to ask people to “rise above” and disappointment, and said the abuse directed at MPs was “unacceptable” and unnecessary”.

Although Mr Stafford was unavailable for comment, but on his Facebook page he said: "Many constituents have asked about the abuse I mentioned in a previous post. I just wanted to share just a few of the messages I have been getting recently.

"As I stated before, people may disagree with me, as is their prerogative, but some of the language and bile is unacceptable.

"Unfortunately so much is fuelled and enabled by falsehoods and half truths put out by the local media and the Labour Party who are keen to forward their own political agenda

"Following on from last week’s vote on extending free school meals outside of term-time, I wanted to answer some of the concerns and set out what happened and why.

"I did not stand for Parliament to make anyone, least of all children, worse off.

"Rather I want resources, attention and focus to be given to the most needy in our society.

"Significant money has already been provided by central government to various local authorities and bodies, and most importantly families, to provide food for those most in need.

"The issue is whether you believe money for vulnerable children should go to schools to provide vouchers during holidays, or whether the income of parents should be raised to meet additional costs of feeding their children during the holidays.

"Personally, I believe the latter, that parents know best for their children and families, so we should be giving them the support they need. In my view family always comes first.

"It is simply incorrect and damaging to those children in need to suggest that funding has been cut – this is simply not the case.

"It is also completely unacceptable to issue the type of threats, including threats of physical violence and abuse that I, my hardworking staff, my daughter, my wife and my mother have received over the last few days.

"I have reached out to every single headteacher in Rother Valley asking for a meeting with each of them to fully understand the impact of the decision to give money directly via Universal Credit to families rather than via vouchers.

"As a politician I don’t always get things right and many people will disagree with me, but I always try to take the best decision based on the facts at hand.”

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