A senior Tory MP had to call in police protection last night after a pro-Palestinian mob surrounded his family home to brand him a ‘war criminal’ over his backing for Israel.
The home of former Middle east minister Tobias Ellwood was targeted by a 100-strong group in his Bournemouth East constituency home, after the address was shared on Facebook.
Dozens of people from the Palestine Solidarity Movement waved Palestinian flags and bellowed chants of ‘ceasefire’ and ‘free Palestine’ using a megaphone.
One of the main protagonists was Corrie Drew, a left-winger who stood against Mr Ellwood at the 2019 General Election for the Labour Party.Â
On a video posted on social media they could be heard shouting: ‘Tobias Ellwood you can’t hide, you signed up for genocide.’
One sinister looking placard had Mr Ellwood’s face on it, while another said ‘occupation, apartheid, genocide’.
One protester later posted on Twitter that the Bournemouth East MP was a ‘complicit in war crimes‘ as they demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Mr Ellwood and his family – he is married with two sons – are not believed to have been home at the time.Â
One of the main protagonists was Corrie Drew a left-winger who stood against Mr Ellwood at the 2019 General Election for the Labour Party .Â
 Dozens of people from the Palestine Solidarity Movement waved Palestinian flags and bellowed chants of ‘ceasefire’ and ‘free Palestine’ using a megaphone.
Mr Ellwoodwas not at home at the time
A Dorset Police spokesperson said: ‘Officers attended the scene and liaised with the organisers to ensure people could exercise their right to protest legally and safely without causing significant or ongoing serious public disorder, serious damage or serious disruption to the community.’
Ms Drew, 41, later posted on social media: ‘Tonight, outside Tobias Ellwood’s house 100 of us gathered for an emergency protest after the Israeli attacks on Rafah.’
She then posted the demands the demonstrators made on the British government over Israel.
Sarah Ward later posted on X: ‘We’re here outside the house of war criminal @Tobias-Ellwood calling for a ceasefire and accusing him of complicity in war crimes! #FreePalestine.’
On its Facebook page the the Palestine Solidarity Movement BCP branch stated: ‘EMERGENCY DEMO NOW. Today, Tobias Ellwood (the former under-secretary of State for the Middle East) went on TV to say that Netanyahu was out of control, has no strategic-plan and is causing chaos.
‘While we welcome his sudden change of stance, he ignored us for MONTHS and is complicit in the genocide in Gaza. Protest starts NOW.’
Ms Drew, 41, later posted on social media: ‘Tonight, outside Tobias Ellwood’s house 100 of us gathered for an emergency protest after the Israeli attacks on Rafah.’
One sinister looking placard had Mr Ellwood’s face on it, while another said ‘occupation, apartheid, genocide’.
The author then added: ‘Bring placards, noise makers and snacks.
‘YOU WILL NEED A CAR or some form of transport, to get to this location. Please speak with the community in our WhatsApp group to arrange lifts & pickups.
‘We need a BIG turnout for this to have the impact we need.
‘We are a community, and we will be heard.
‘Save Rafah, Save Gaza!’
A Dorset Police spokesperson said: ‘Officers attended the scene and liaised with the organisers to ensure people could exercise their right to protest legally and safely without causing significant or ongoing serious public disorder, serious damage or serious disruption to the community.
‘We respect people’s right to lawful protest. However, we have a duty to ensure those involved act within the law and ensure the local community can go about their lawful activities.
‘The group left the area by around 8.50pm and no arrests were made.’