SOUTHEND councillors have revealed the torrent of “terrifying” abuse they get while doing their job, as a new law is mooted in memory of Sir David Amess that would help protect elected officials against vile hate online.

Mark Francois, MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, has urged the Prime Minister to introduce “David’s law”, a tougher version of the Online Harms Bill, in a nod to his close friend and colleague who was murdered on Friday.

Sir David, MP for Southend West, was holding a constituent surgery when he was stabbed 17 times.

Mr Francois said Sir David, who was killed at the Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh, had become “increasingly concerned” about the “toxic environment” that MPs were having to operate in and suggested a ban on social media anonymity.

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Now councillors in Southend have spoken out about the abuse they receive.

One politician, who didn’t want to be named, has said their children have told them they fear they could now be attacked for being in the spotlight.

Martin Terry, councillor in charge of community safety, has installed CCTV at his flat in response to the threats he received online.

He said: “I did it for my own safety and as a deterrent. It makes me feel safer at home.

“It keeps you up at night, and makes you feel like what is the point in carrying on being a councillor.

“I was born in Leigh, and have been in Southend all my life. There’s more I want to do in this city which outweighs the abuse I receive.”

The Echo revealed how Southend councillors have been told to have “escape routes” from the surgeries they hold after Friday’s attack.

Tony Cox, leader of Southend’s Conservatives, added: “Most of us councillors have been threatened or harassed.

“Sir David was fearful over the discourse in politics and the way it was going.

“It’s a societal issue, and one that’s got worse since Covid. It’s an epidemic.”

Addressing the House of Commons, Mark Francois said: “If the social media companies don’t want to help us drain the Twitter swamp, then let’s compel them to do it by law.

“I suggest that if we want to ensure our colleague didn’t die in vain, we collectively all of us pick up the baton and take the forthcoming Online Harms Bill and toughen it up.

“So let’s put, if I may be so presumptuous, David’s law onto the statute book, the essence of which would be that while people in public life must remain open to legitimate criticism, they can no longer be vilified or their families subject to the most horrendous abuse.”

Both councillors threw their weight behind his ambitions.

Ali Harbi Ali, 25, was arrested on suspicion of his murder and remains in custody.