There was a suspected arson attack on the office of Sharon Hodgson, MP for Washington and Gateshead South on 11 September. There was little left of the first floor office in the Concord area of Washington, Tyne and Wear, after the fire which took place when it was unoccupied in the early hours of the morning. It was also noted that graffiti had been scrawled on the side of the building reading: “328 days blood on your hands.”
A spokesperson for Hodgson, commented that she would “not be deterred” and would go on supporting her constituents.
Downing Street spokesperson
The attack was condemned by the office of the Prime Minister with a spokesperson commenting: “There is absolutely no place for this kind of violence in our society. All those involved in our democratic process should be able to go about their vital work freely and with confidence.””
Man arrested
It was later reported that a man had been arrested following the fire, which was said to be a suspected arson attack/ It was also thought that a brick had also been thrown at a window of Vermont House the previous week.
A Northumbria Police spokesperson commented: “Emergency services attended and no-one is reported to have been injured in the incident. A man in his twenties has subsequently been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and arson. He remains in police custody at this time.”
The police spokesperson went on to say:
“Anyone with information should send Northumbria Police a direct message on social media or use the live chat or report pages on the Force website. For those unable to make contact via those ways, call 101. Please quote reference NP-20250911-0007”.
Adding to their earlier comments, a spokesperson for Hodgson said: “We will not be commenting or speculating while there is an ongoing police investigation, what we are clear on is there is no place for this kind of violence in our society. Sharon will not be deterred and will continue to support her constituents in Washington and Gateshead South as she does day in, day out. Constituents should get in touch with their issues by emailing in the usual way.””
Charity hit by the fire
Hodgson’s office was not the only casualty of the fire as Niemann-Pick UP (NP UK), a small charity which supports patients and families with an extremely rare and life-limiting group of genetic diseases have said that their offices were also destroyed in the fire.
It was noted that, “John Taggart, NP UK’s head of communications, told the PA news agency it was suspected that the fire had started in shared bins and spread to the MP’s office, before the charity and up to an NHS unit, all based at Vermont House”.
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