Envelope containing excrement put through door of South Ribble Tory candidate’s Longton office

Katherine Fletcher, Conservative candidate, speaking to a PCSO

A Conservative candidate in the general election says she ‘will not be intimidated’ after discovering excrement posted through the door of the campaign office in Longton.

Lancashire Police have been asked to investigate after a member of Katherine Fletcher’s staff discovered a package during Thursday (30 May) morning – which contained faeces – at the office in Liverpool Road.

Fletcher, who is seeking re-election as South Ribble MP in the general election on 4 July, said it was ‘disgusting’ what her staff member had found.

She said; “This was a disgusting attempt to stop me campaigning through intimidation and also an attack on the very democracy I am proud to stand for in South Ribble.

“But the person who thought this might succeed is very much mistaken and they have already failed.

“I am angry that someone helping me had to open the envelope but it has allowed us all here to know what is at stake when we step forward to campaign in this general election.

“It will be a big motivation to be honest because we want to live in a country where those who do such horrible things face the full force of the law and are never near power.

“My volunteers and I will now just ignore it and continue to go out and make the case for me to carry on delivering as South Ribble’s MP and for kind and decent behaviour in our country.”

The envelope containing the poo – which is unknown in origin – was a prepaid survey return envelope and appeared to be hand-delivered according to Mrs Fletcher.

A spokesperson for Mrs Fletcher’s campaign team said: “The envelope has been taken away by officers this afternoon for forensic analysis to see if it is possible to identify who sent it and what type of excrement it is.”

A police spokesperson confirmed to Blog Preston they had received a report and “we are investigating”.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting log 557 of 30 May 2024.

The candidates for the South Ribble seat are Katherine Fletcher (Conservatives), Paul Foster (Labour), Andy Hunter (Reform), Stephani Mok (Greens) and Ange Turner (Liberal Democrats).

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