Essex MP says racist and homophobic abuse he receives on social media is "unacceptable"
He said he gets threats on a "regular basis" - yet vows it will not affect his local role
An Essex MP is calling social media abuse against him "unacceptable", as he has spoken out against "hatred" for politicians.
David Burton-Sampson, the MP for Southend West and Leigh, said he receives racist and homophobic abuse online and he said personal attacks on politicians need to end.
He vowed not to let the abuse affect his commitment to his constituents.
"When people make comments about my race for example or my sexuality when they are talking about me on social media that has nothing to do with my role as a politician.
"Talk about what my politics are, talk about what my decisions are, and why they are right or wrong. Don't talk about me as an individual.
"It's unacceptable. This is a democratic society that we live in and we should be allowed to do our roles that we have been democratically elected to do without fear."
He said that people should be free to disagree with him and have conversations about ideas, yet he said there is a lack of respect for elected representatives.
"That should never cross into some of the language that we see on social media, some of the threats that we receive on a regular basis.
"And this is not just me, this is politicians across the board, of all parties.
"There is a lot of hatred out there towards politicians and a lot of it is not justified.
"We are here trying to do a job trying to make our places better and of course there's going to be disagreement about my view of better and other people's view of better. But that should never cross into violence. That should never cross into hatred."
The Southend MP has vowed that the abuse he gets on social media will not impact his local work.