"We've had to respond": Threats towards MPs have seen a 'massive increase', Speaker says

The Speaker of the House says there was no choice but to act as threats against MPs see a massive increase. 

RNZ reports the Parliament Security Information, Risk and Advisory Service deployed 81 times after handling 216 requests for advice or support between September 28 and October 18. 

Parliamentary Service says its security offering has grown and it's working closely with Police. 

Speaker Gerry Brownlee told Mike Hosking there's been a particular increase in threats towards women. 

He says the nature of threats have also changed from being a bit of personal abuse about appearance to serious threats of physical violence. 

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