Baby of North East MP targeted online over Syria vote

Bridget Phillipson MP. Credit: John Stilwell/PA Archive/PA Images

A North East MP's newborn baby has been targeted by online trolls, after she voted in favour of air strikes in Syria.

Bridget Phillipson, the Labour MP for Houghton and Sunderland South, was subjected to a string of abuse on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

Two posts wished harm on her baby boy who is 15 days old.

Bridget Phillipson is not alone in facing abuse at the hands of online trolls for voting in favour of the airstrikes.

The Metropolitan Police said it was assessing a number of online threats relating to MPs.

Labour leader Jeremy Corby. Credit: PA/PA Wire/Press Association Images

The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, has sent an email to members saying they should not accept abuse.

While backing people's rights to protest and lobby, he added:

"Abuse and intimidation have no place in politics. And the party as a whole will not accept such behaviour, from whatever quarter it comes."