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MPs vow to carry on after death of Jo Cox


Gold award for


the Rotary club ROTARY members picked up a goldaward as part of their silver an- niversary celebrations. President of The Rotary Club of Maidstone Riverside, Mary Lynn is pictured receiving the award from Rotary’s District Governor Ray Dixon during their gala dinner. The gold award – the first


achieved by any club in the South East – recognised Maidstone River- side’s work during the year, raising £31,000 for charity. The group’s anniversary dinner at


theOakwoodHouse Hotelwas sup- ported by 177 Rotarians and friends. Guests included former Maidstone MP Ann Widdecombe, President Elect of Rotary InternationalGBand Ireland Eve Conway and MP Helen Grant, with representatives from the Johan de Witt Ter Merwe Rotary Club of Dordrecht in Holland.


MPs Helen Grant and Helen Whately have vowed it will be "business as usual" after the shock- ing killing of her parliamentary colleague Jo Cox. The Labour MP, 41, was gunned


down and stabbed repeatedly in her Yorkshire constituency earlier this month as shewalked to her office. Mrs Grant and Mrs Whately regu-


larly hold surgeries in their respec- tive Maidstone and the Weald and Faversham and Mid Kent patches, where constituents can meet them face to face. Stunned Mrs Grant – who took a


part in a charity tug-of-war with 41- year-old married mother Mrs Cox the week before the tragedy - de- clared "democracy has to continue" although she has had talks with Kent Police commander Dave Pat. Mrs Grant said: "I don't suspect I


will be doing anything different. Constituents have got to have access to you and you can't do the job any otherway. “What happened to Jo was truly


awful and I think we are all still in shock."


“The policewere in touch withme


and I don’t want to give too much detailaway but they are there to talk to and advise onmysecurity needs.” Dover MP and government whip Charlie Elphicke said: “The new po- lice commissioner (Matthew Scott) has been proactive in taking the ini- tiative onMP security. “It’s not just about the MPs but


also staff who work for MPs. It is a huge concern.” Aspokesman for Kent Police said


MPs Jo Cox (left) and Helen Grant (right) in the charity tug of war


Asked if she worried about her


safety, she replied: "Of course I do. Myfamily do." Helen Whately said police had


been in touch with her to offer ad- vice but would not discuss the detail. She said: "It's a reminder of the


risk thatwe take as MPs.Youalways think that it can't happen to you. “You must not let something like


this stop you from doing the job and you must not be deterred by it.


it has offered “support and advice together with support as required” to local MPs. MPs have been worried about


their exposure to danger for some time especially from members of the public carrying knives or guns. The last MP to be killedwas Tory


Ian Gow, in 1990, whowas targeted by the IRA and more recently LabourMPStephen Timms, the vic- tim of an attack in his constituency office. MPs are routinely targeted by in-


ternet trolls who post hate mes- sages on theirTwitter, Facebook and other social media feeds.


Time on your hands? Don’t know what to do?


Why not join the Maidstone Hospital League of Friends


WE URGENTLY NEED VOLUNTEERS TO HELP IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:


• To staff the hospital shop which is stocked with a wide variety of sandwiches, crisps, drinks, toiletries, greetings cards, sweets, chocolate, etc.


• To take trolleys (containing sweets, drinks, toiletries, etc.) round the wards. • Staff our busy tea bar • Sell books in the book room


The League of Friends is a registered charity and all monies raised ensures that it can respond to requests for equipment and improvements in the hospital.


If you can spare a few hours a week and would like to join a friendly team doing something rewarding for the community please contact:


Jacqui on 01622 224781 16 Maidstone East July 2016


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