An independent Member of Parliament has launched a fierce critique of police and current legislation after a man alleged to be an Amazon delivery driver reportedly entered his home uninvited.
Shocking Footage of the Incident
James McMurdock, the MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, claimed the unsettling event occurred on Thursday evening. He stated that a man managed to 'let himself into' his private residence.
The MP subsequently shared video evidence of the encounter online. The footage shows an individual dressed in a black jacket ringing the doorbell. After receiving no immediate answer, the man is seen trying the door handle and then pushing the door open to step inside.
A voice, understood to be Mr McMurdock's, is heard off-camera exclaiming 'woah'. Upon being confronted, the alleged trespasser immediately apologised and retreated from the property.
MP's Fears and Police Response
Expressing his profound concern, Mr McMurdock highlighted the potential danger of the situation. He wrote that he was fortunate to be in a position to confront the man directly, but the incident left him deeply shaken.
'What if my wife or teenage daughter had been standing in my place?', the MP questioned, underscoring the vulnerability families could face.
He reported the incident to the police, but was informed that trespass is considered a civil matter in the UK, not a criminal one, and therefore there was nothing they could do. This legal stance means police typically do not intervene in simple trespass cases, which are instead meant to be pursued through the civil courts.
Call for Parliamentary Action
Mr McMurdock, a former Reform MP elected in last year's general election, voiced serious worries about the security protocols of delivery companies hiring temporary staff. He pointed to a dangerous 'legal loophole' that he believes protects those with ill intent.
'Try your luck. If the homeowner scares you off, just walk away. The police won’t pursue you. Try again,' he stated, characterising the current law as 'utterly unacceptable'.
Determined to force a change, the MP declared, 'I will raise this in Parliament.' He affirmed he would not wait for someone to be harmed before action is taken, arguing that if the law fails to protect people in their own homes, then the law must be changed.
It is worth noting that while basic trespass is a civil issue, the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 makes 'aggravated trespass' unlawful. This applies when a person seeks to intimidate, obstruct, or disrupt lawful activity on the land.
In response to the online post, a person claiming to be an Amazon worker apologised for the MP's 'poor experience with our driver'. Amazon has been contacted for an official comment.
This incident follows reports from September that Mr McMurdock was under investigation by the Parliamentary sleaze watchdog over claims he used social media to 'facilitate racial abuse'. The MP, who has a prior conviction for assault and left the Reform party following questions about Covid loans taken by his companies, was being probed for allegedly damaging the reputation of the House of Commons.
