BORIS Johnson has been accused of “inciting hatred” and pretending Britain is at “war” to divide the country ahead of a snap General Election.
The Prime Minister faced an onslaught for dismissing threats to politicians and telling MPs they should honour murdered pro-EU MP Jo Cox by delivering Brexit.
The wave of criticism from cross-party politicians, including Tories, came after bitter clashes in parliament on Wednesday night, which Commons Speaker John Bercow branded “toxic”.
Mr Johnson also angered MPs by claiming that Supreme Court judges who ruled his parly suspension “unlawful” were wrong — and snubbing calls to tone down his language as he taunted rivals.
As he continued to dig in his heels, it was claimed the PM’s behaviour was making parliamentarians less safe.
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Labour MP Paula Sheriff, whose safety fears were met with a “humbug” jibe from Mr Johnson” — said in a TV interview: “I believe the Prime Minister is inciting hatred towards MPs.”
In a string of security scares, Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson has alerted cops over a threat to one of her young children.
And Labour MP Jess Phillips said she’d had a death threat this week quoting the PM’s vow not to delay Brexit, which read: “‘I would rather be found dead in a ditch.’ That is what will happen to those who do not deliver Brexit.”
She also revealed a suspect has been arrested after trying to “kick the door” of her constituency office and allegedly shouting that she was a “fascist”.
Mr Johnson refused to appear in the Commons to answer an urgent question from Ms Phillips about his conduct.
She was among MPs who told him to apologise for his language on Wednesday — claiming his words were designed to “inflame hatred and division”.
Taking questions in Mr Johnson’s absence, Cabinet Office minister Kevin Foster insisted no one in the House deserved to be threatened.
But Mr Johnson later said in an interview: “I deplore any threats to anybody, particularly female MPs, and a lot of work is being done to stop that and give people the security they need.”
The PM had also inflamed tensions by saying the best way to honour Mrs Cox, 41 — murdered days before the 2016 referendum by Scots far-right activist Thomas Mair — was to “get Brexit done”.
Her widower Brendan, 40, said he felt “a bit sick” at the way his late wife’s name was used and appealed for calm on all sides.
Jo’s sister Kim Leadbeater added: “I think the humbug comment was wrong and I think to use Jo’s name in that way was wrong. What I hope is that he has some time to reflect on that and think about it.”
Earlier, opening proceedings the morning after Wednesday’s showdown, Mr Bercow said: “There is a widespread sense across the House and beyond that yesterday the House did itself no credit.
“There was an atmosphere in the chamber worse than any I’ve known in my 22 years in the House. On both sides passions were inflamed, angry words uttered, the culture was toxic.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who expressed “disgust” at the scenes, said of Mr Johnson: “There’s a gaping moral vacuum where the office of Prime Minister used to be.
“I didn’t know Jo Cox but I’m certain this man is not fit to speak her name.” Critics say the PM is gearing up for a General Election where he pits the “people against parliament” by claiming MPs are trying to overturn the 2016 Brexit vote.
But former Home Secretary Amber Rudd warned: “This whole approach is dishonest and dangerous.
“Dishonest because there were legitimate differences of opinion amongst different MPs, different factions and we need to find the common ground.
“And dangerous because it starts to ramp up people’s behaviour against the MPs and against different people.”
Ex-Labour leader Ed Miliband slammed Mr Johnson for repeatedly referring to pro-Remain MPs wanting to “surrender” to the EU over Brexit — claiming he was styling politics as “war”.
Current party chief Jeremy Corbyn labelled the Prime Minister’s actions “disgraceful”.
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And SNP Commons leader Ian Blackford branded Mr Johnson “morally vacuous”, adding: “The man is not fit for office.”
The PM called for calm but insisted describing attempts to block a No Deal split as the “surrender act” had been “absolutely reasonable”.
And ex-Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith dismissed criticism of Mr Johnson’s language, accusing critics of trying to “stir this up”.
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