Hate-filled abuse is poisoning Britain. I fought it, and ask you to do the same

I am no shrinking violet. Having battled against dubious practices in the UK investment industry and the charity sector for nearly a decade, I am used to receiving harsh, often personally insulting responses. I often go into the lions’ den and engage with those I know oppose my views, because I want to understand what other people think. I am an ardent believer in a free, democratic and inclusive society, and the robust exchange of views that is essential to tolerance.

But what I was not prepared for last July when I brought my legal challenge against the government – which was seeking to bypass our sovereign parliament in triggering article 50 – was the barrage of racial and sexist abuse I received. This was not the Great Britain I thought I lived in: the country viewed across the world as a bastion of inclusion, multiculturalism and civility. My experiences since then have showed me a Britain I do not recognise: a society where fear and hatred are poisoning debate, opinion, and freedom of speech.

Some of the worst threats I received were from Rhodri Philipps, the 4th Viscount St Davids. He posted on Facebook, “£5,000 for the first person to ‘accidentally’ run over this bloody troublesome first generation immigrant”. This shocked me to my core. How could Facebook allow this post? Why wasn’t it moderated? Why hadn’t Facebook reported Philipps to the police? I have lived in Britain for more than 40 years: I’m British, my children and husband are British; this is my home. I have every right to ask legitimate questions.

It is a relief that Philipps was convicted yesterday. But I was disappointed that the Crown Prosecution Service charged him under the Malicious Communications Act 1988, which makes provision for the punishment of persons who send or deliver letters or other articles for the purpose of causing distress or anxiety. I believe he should have been charged under the Public Order Act 1986, either with “racially aggravated offences” intended to stir fear, violence or harassment, or “inciting racial hatred”. I believe the CPS shied away because the threats were made on social media, and they didn’t want to open the flood gates to other prosecutions that would surely follow.

But I am adamant that we must look beyond the medium – be it graffiti, hate preaching, emails or social media posts – to the content of messages. If they are motivated by racism or bigotry, and contravene existing laws against inciting sexual or racial hatred or violence, the perpetrators should face charges appropriate to their crimes.

For me this threat was more frightening than the many others I received, as Philipps appeared to have the means, resources and connections to carry it out. He lived near my office; he knew people who knew me. He or any one of his acquaintances could run me down as I was crossing the road. I often thought about what would happen if he carried out the threat. Would I be killed or crippled? Who would look after my children? How would my husband cope?

It’s not just Rhodri Philipps I’ve received abuse from. Over the last year, as the hatred flooded into my inbox, I’ve watched as perpetrators have discovered a new boldness. They no longer hide under anonymity but openly sign their name. They no longer linger alone in their rooms, or at the end of some bar in a pub; social media amplify their vile voices and create echo chambers that reinforce their views.

The police team assigned to me have been wonderful, and have tried to deal with the fallout. But they have limited resources, and are often frustrated by social media companies failing to provide timely information on the abuser. When the police do their duty in serving “cease and desist” letters or interviewing suspects, they themselves are often abused and accused of being “immigrant lovers”.

Entering public life as a woman – be it as a politician, journalist, expert or activist – makes you the target of the most sinister threats, abuse and language. A new report by the all-party parliamentary group on antisemitism has revealed the full extent of the abuse received by general election candidates, particularly female and ethnic minority ones. When I’ve asked parliamentary candidates why they have not spoken out more, their reply is often: “It’s normal, so we just have to accept it.” But we must not normalise hatred and intimidation. Lines of decency are being violated, and as the old saying goes, bad things happen when good people do nothing, so we must all stand up and push back. It is no longer acceptable to just say it’s the price you pay for having a public face.

I have always been proud to live in a Britain that’s globally envied, but my experiences over the last year mean I am deeply concerned about where our country is heading. Philipps’s guilty verdict at least sends a signal – regardless of the sentence – that people will be held accountable if they post malicious, racially aggravated messages on social media. Meanwhile, I ask the decent people of Britain to come together in opposition to the hatred poisoning our country. By focusing on what we share, rather than what makes us different, we can avoid division and derision.