A man in his 20s has been arrested after a suspected arson attack devastated the constituency office of Labour MP Sharon Hodgson in Washington, Tyne and Wear. The fire, which broke out shortly after midnight on Thursday, gutted the first floor of Vermont House in Concord. No one was inside the office at the time, and police confirmed there were no injuries.
Drone images later revealed the roof collapsed and heavily charred by flames. Graffiti reading “328 days blood on your hands” was found on the building’s exterior, though police have not confirmed whether it is connected to the attack.
Police Investigation and Emergency Response
Northumbria Police said they were alerted to the fire at 12.20am. A man in his 20s was arrested soon after on suspicion of arson and criminal damage. He remains in custody while inquiries continue.
The Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service dispatched seven fire engines. Crews arrived within four minutes of the emergency call and used hoses and breathing equipment to bring the fire under control.
Chief Fire Officer Peter Heath commended his team:
- Their quick action contained the blaze.
- The building was made safe within hours.
- Crucially, there were no casualties.
Political Leaders Condemn Attack
The suspected arson has drawn swift condemnation from across the political spectrum. A Downing Street spokesperson said: “There is absolutely no place for this kind of violence in our society. All those involved in our democratic process should be able to go about their vital work freely and with confidence.”
Sharon Hodgson, who has represented Washington and Gateshead South since 2005, vowed not to be intimidated. A statement from her office said: “Sharon will not be deterred and will continue to support her constituents as she does day in, day out.”
Reactions in Parliament and Community
In Westminster, colleagues from all parties expressed support. Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty told MPs: “This underlines why safety in democratic debate is so important.”
Labour MPs Kim Johnson and Mary Kelly Foy also voiced concern. Johnson said the incident followed other threats against Hodgson, while Foy called it “intimidation by thugs” and highlighted the impact on staff working in constituency offices.
Locally, residents and business owners were shocked. Many said they were unaware the MP’s office was located in the building until the morning’s heavy police presence made clear the seriousness of the incident.
Rising Concerns Over Safety of MPs
The fire comes at a time of growing unease over the safety of politicians. In recent years, MPs have faced increasing threats, with the killings of Jo Cox in 2016 and Sir David Amess in 2021 still fresh in public memory.
Hours before the Washington blaze, news emerged from the United States of the killing of a political influencer, adding to fears about the risks faced by those in public life.
Security experts have long warned that MPs and their staff are particularly vulnerable in constituency offices, where they interact daily with members of the public. Calls for stronger security measures are now likely to intensify.
