Ex-MI5 head concerned about political climate

[ahlam1399]

LONDON: A former head of MI5 has expressed concern about the level of intimidation and abuse in the current political climate.Lord Evans, chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, said the situation has deteriorated in the past 18 months. The cross-bench peer told the BBC: “We are very concerned about the situation in regard to intimidation and abuse in public life. This is a problem that isn’t going away.”Lord Evans, who was director general of MI5 between 2007-2013, said: “When you get to the point of death threats, when you get to the point of daubing of properties — that is absolutely clearly beyond any acceptable level in a democracy.” The ex-MI5 chief said the situation over EU withdrawal had made things “particularly acute”, but the matter was not confined to Brexit. “This is not just a Brexit-related issue, this is a form of, kind of, political activity which is infecting the political life in this country and has been doing so for a period.” He added: “But it is particularly acute at the moment because of the political conflict that is going on over our future in or out of Europe.”Lord Evans suggested it was having a damaging impact on public debate. He said: “I have had three conversations with people that I regard as reliable and sensible commentators who have said that they are aware of cases where individuals are so concerned that they are both limiting what they are willing to say on public matters, and there is a risk that they will actually feel that they have to change the way in which they are voting. And I think that’s a very serious matter.” Asked about the controversy surrounding Theresa May’s televised address in which the Prime Minister was accused of blaming Parliament for delays on Brexit, Lord Evans said language used in public debate should be courteous.http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/com/cwEr/~4/M2wjgdBIr3c

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