Police investigating 'grossly offensive' messages sent to Labour MP after she spoke out about Andrew Tate

South Wales Police are investigating "abusive and grossly offensive" messages sent to a Labour MP after she spoke out against controversial influencer Andrew Tate.

Alex Davies-Jones revealed on Tuesday she had been "bombarded with death and rape threats" following her remarks about Tate's influence on young people, saying they were "being brainwashed online by his deeply toxic messaging".

Now the force have confirmed they looking into messages sent to her over social media and email.

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Local policing Inspector Leigh Parfitt said: "We are investigating the origins of abusive and grossly offensive social media messages and emails aimed at a local MP.

"Keeping people safe and confident in their homes and communities is a key priority for us and we take all reports of online abuse and malicious communications extremely seriously.

"Before sending any form of communication, members of the public are advised to consider whether their post, text message, letter or phone call could be breaking the law."

'This is not uncommon'

Ms Davies-Jones first spoke about the impact of Tate during Prime Minister's Questions last month, asking Prime Minister Rishi Sunak what more could be done in the Online Safety Bill to tackle his influence on school children.

Speaking to Sky News on Wednesday, she said: "Sadly, we know that this is not uncommon though, and Andrew Tate is one of many individuals who are perpetuating this sense of misogyny and sexism.

"And it varies greatly, from the traditional sexist tropes that we hear, from women belong in the kitchen and looking after a home and looking after a husband, to some really vile, misogynistic and damaging and harmful content."

As a result of her comments in the Commons, she received death threats, rape threats and other abusive messages - but she wants to focus on the wider issues still.

"This isn't about me," she told Sky News. "I don't want this to be about me.

"Yes. I've been on the receiving end of some of this vile behaviour in the past few days as a result of me being outspoken about this issue.

"But this is what many women, girls, people of colour, people of the LGBTQ+ community, people of the Jewish community have had to deal with on a daily basis - being bombarded with this horrendous, harmful, but sadly illegal content."

On Tuesday, Ms Davies-Jones thanked her local force, saying they had been "an immense support" to her since the abuse began.

Tate, a former Big Brother contestant and kickboxer, is currently being held on suspicion of rape and human trafficking in Romania - allegations he denies.