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BBC's Laura Kuenssberg to get bodyguard at Tory party conference

BBC political editor Laura Kuennesberg with her bodyguard (Rex)
BBC political editor Laura Kuennesberg with her bodyguard (Rex)

The BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg will have bodyguard protection at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester.

The high-profile journalist was accompanied by a protection officer as she turned up in Manchester on Sunday.

She also had protection had last week’s Labour conference in Brighton following a long-running campaign of abuse.

Miss Kuenssberg has targeted by critics on the left and right of the political spectrum.

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As well as online abuse from Labour supporters, she was booed at a UKIP conference as she tried to ask a question.

There has also been a petition launched for the BBC to sack her following a report on a Jeremy Corbyn shadow cabinet reshuffle.

Despite the apparent real threats, the political editor faces, some critics were less than impressed that she had turned up to the conferences with bodyguard protection.

One Tory MP took to social media to say she did not face any risk from those on the right.

In the thick of it. The BBC journalist at last week’s Labour Party conference (Rex)
In the thick of it. The BBC journalist at last week’s Labour Party conference (Rex)

Michael Fabricant took to Twitter to suggest it was a politically-motivated move.

‘@bbclaurak has a bodyguard in Manchester. BBC showing impartiality or v real threat from #Momentum in the streets?’ he wrote.

‘Should I have one too?’