A suspected arson attack on Labour MP Sharon Hodgson's constituency office has destroyed parts of a building housing a veterans' mental health service and a rare disease charity. A man in his twenties has been arrested on suspicion of arson and criminal damage following the major fire at Vermont House in Concord, Washington, Tyne and Wear, during the early hours of Thursday.
Emergency services responded to the blaze with no injuries reported. Northumbria Police confirmed the suspect remains in custody while investigations continue into the incident at the Washington and Gateshead South MP's office.
Extensive building damage
Aerial photographs show the roof in one corner has been completely destroyed with significant damage throughout the building. The fire reportedly started in shared bins before spreading to the MP's office and then to other parts of the complex.
The small charity Niemann-Pick UK, which supports patients and families affected by extremely rare genetic diseases, had its offices destroyed in the blaze. John Taggart, the charity's head of communications, said: "We have been in operation for 34 years and it is going to be really hard to recover. This is a vital service and we are a small charity."
Previous incidents and context
Graffiti reading "328 days blood on your hands" was visible on a wall, understood to have been daubed last September in apparent reference to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A brick was thrown at a window of Vermont House last week, according to reports.
The charity reported dealing with "threats, graffiti and demonstrations targeted at the MP in our office complex for many months" leading up to Thursday's incident. On its Facebook page, the charity described the suspected attack as "a huge shock to the entire team" and "the absolute last thing we needed" during difficult times for small charities.
Political reactions
A spokesperson for Ms 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."
City of Durham Labour MP Mary Kelly Foy linked the attack to recent US political violence on social media, writing: "After the shocking murder of a political influencer mere hours ago in the US, MPs in the UK woke to scenes of one of our colleagues' offices being targeted. No matter which part of the political spectrum you fall into - this is intimidation by thugs and they must face the full force of the law." Downing Street condemned the attack, stating that politicians should be able to conduct their work "freely and with confidence".
Service disruption and response
The NHS's Op Courage unit, which provides mental health support for current and former military personnel, was also based at Vermont House. Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust immediately activated contingency plans to relocate services to alternative sites.
Trust group director Andy Airey said: "All face-to-face appointments for today and tomorrow have been moved to remote consultations or relocated to alternative sites. No appointments have been cancelled." A temporary base for the Op Courage unit is being prepared at a hospital site to become operational from Monday.
Charity recovery efforts
The charity has set up a fundraising page to help continue its vital services for families affected by rare diseases. In a Facebook post, the organisation expressed determination to survive, stating: "As an organisation we deal with a rare disease… we made it thorough the struggles of Covid… and we will make it through this. Thank you x."
The charity stressed it will do everything possible to support affected families and patients despite the devastating setback.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
