MEP under protection after far right intimidation

MEP Sajjad Karim (pictured) has been given 24 hour security protections after becoming the target of a campaign of intimidation by an anti Islam group which started up after the British National Party began an online campaign highlighting his decision to vote against an EU regulation on the compulsory labeling of both Halal and Kosher meat.

Karim, Conservative MEP for North West England, said that on 17 November the BNP started to run a campaign on their website highlighting his role in an issue concerning the regulation which will, he says, unduly impact upon both Halal and Kosher meat.

"Immediately after they started their campaign we started receiving some very abusive and aggressive emails which are very insulting and threatening in their nature."

Karim added, "This campaign of intimidation will not work. Matters are now in the hands of the authorities and we will allow them to undertake their investigations."

His constituency office manager Sue Gillett, who is handling the matter, said, "Sajjad has for some time now been highlighting the activities and behaviour of the BNP. They are not taking too well to this exposure it seems.

"Some months ago he returned home with his family to find BNP daubed immediately outside his home. The matter was reported to the police

"This was just their way of trying to intimidate Sajjad and warn him off from exposing them and doing his duties."