Jo Cox Foundation brought in to help find cross-party approach to tackling intimidation in public life

The Jo Cox Foundation is to act as independent support in efforts to agree a cross-party approach to tackling intimidation in public life, the Committee on Standards in Public Life has said.

This follows the Committee’s previous meetings with the parties to follow up the recommendations made in its 2017 report on intimidation in public life.

Lord Evans, chair of the CSPL, said: “I am delighted that The Jo Cox Foundation has undertaken to act as independent support to help make further progress towards a common approach to tackle intimidation and abuse during election campaigns.

“It is important to democracy that individuals standing for public office or campaigning are able to so without fear of intimidation. From our meetings with them, it’s clear that the political parties have done a great deal of work internally to address intimidatory behaviour and improve their own processes to call out and address unacceptable behaviour where they can. Building on that, there is goodwill and commitment from the political parties at Westminster to make further joint progress.”

Catherine Anderson, Chief Executive of The Jo Cox Foundation, said: “Jo’s murder in 2016 is a constant reminder to us that the threat of violence and intimidation towards MPs, candidates or anybody else in public life can never be acceptable.

“We all value vigorous political debate and freedom of speech but that should not extend to abusive behaviour designed to intimidate and silence people. It threatens our democracy itself.

“From our regular discussions with all the parties we know that they recognise the importance of restoring civility and respect to our public discourse and we look forward to working with them and with the committee to find an agreement on how this can be achieved.”

Earlier this month the Government confirmed it is to legislate to introduce a new electoral offence of intimidating a candidate or campaigner during the run up to an election, either in person or online. It will also legislate to clarify the electoral offence of undue influence of a voter.