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Counter-terror police are investigating whether the Manchester synagogue terrorist previously sent death threats to a sitting MP.
Former Conservative MP John Howell received threatening emails in 2012 over his position on Israel, after he spoke about the nation’s right to defend itself against rocket fire.
These included a series of messages from someone with the name Jihad Alshamie, who told him: ‘It is people like you who deserve to die.’
Last night police named the attacker who killed two members of the Jewish community in a terror attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Community Synagogue, in Crumpsall, Manchester, as Jihad al-Shamie.
The close name match has prompted police to look again at the threats, and they will form a part of the investigation as counter-terrorism specialists seek to confirm whether they came from yesterday’s attacker, it is understood.
Mr Howell, who served as MP for Henley from 2008 to 2024, received around 30 emails after making the comments.
He was forced to remove details of his local offices from his website after being left in fear of his life and for his family and staff.
The threats came after a pro-Palestine activist contacted Mr Howell in an email and asked him what he would do to stop Israeli actions, arguing that it was taking steps ‘in defiance of international law and basic human decency’.
Former Conservative MP John Howell received threatening emails in 2012 over his position on Israel , after he spoke about the nation’s right to defend itself against rocket fire
Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, was shot dead minutes after he targeted Heaton Park Synagogue in a terrorist attack in Manchester yesterday. It is believed he was a father and is pictured holding a child
The attacker was caught on camera armed with a knife trying to get into the synagogue moments before he was shot by armed police
The activist attached a non-recent photo of an exploding building in Gaza to the email.
Howell responded and asked them about the ‘100 rockets which have landed in Israel over the weekend’.
This exchange was then posted on Facebook, which saw ‘Jihad Alshamie’ and others to contact the MP.
Commenting on the threats at the time, Mr Howell said: ‘The last thing I want to appear as is a drama queen, but you have to take seriously a threat when it says, ‘I would like to see you dead’.
‘It is not just a question of me, it is my family and my staff. All it takes is one person out there who is weird enough, with a distorted view of life, to make an attempt to carry this out.’
It is unclear whether the individuals behind the threats were tracked down by police.
The emails resurfaced after yesterday’s terror attack, which saw 35-year-old Al-Shamie drive a car at members of the public before stabbing several people outside the Crumpsall synagogue.
Two members of the Jewish community were killed and three people remain in hospital with serious injuries.
The terrorist was shot dead by police following the attack outside a synagogue in Manchester (pictured is a member of the Army’s bomb disposal team checking the attacker)
Following the incident, armed officers later arrested two men in a street just feet away from the deadly knife attack in Manchester (pictured is a man being detained by police)
Two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s have been arrested on suspicion of planning a terror attack
The two men who lost their lives were today named as Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, both from Crumpsall.
Al-Shamie was shot dead by police seven minutes after officers were alerted to the attack in Crumpsall on Thursday morning, which took place on Yom Kippur, Judaism’s holiest day.
Three people, two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s, have been arrested on suspicion of planning a terror attack in connection with the killings.
Al-Shamie is understood to have entered the UK as a young child with his family and been granted British citizenship in 2006 when he was around the age of 16.
The Home Secretary confirmed today that Al-Shamie had not been referred to Prevent and his name has not appeared in initial searches of police and security service records.
She added it is ‘too early’ to say if there was a terrorist cell behind the attack.
Shabana Mahmood also told BBC Breakfast: ‘Arrests have been made and the police investigation is continuing at pace.
‘We will, of course, provide more information as that comes in from the police, but I think it’s important we don’t get ahead of what we know as the basic facts of what has happened.’
Police officers gather inside a cordon on Friday morning after yesterday’s terror attack killed two members of the Jewish community
Detective Chief Superintendent Lewis Hughes, who is co-ordinating the casualty response, said: ‘My deepest sympathies are with Mr Daulby and Mr Cravitz’s loved ones at this extremely hard time.
‘Specially trained family liaison officers are in contact with them. They will continue to update them on the investigation and support them throughout the coronial process
‘Whilst there are processes which must be followed, we commit to being mindful of cultural preferences and sensitivities and to ensuring that these men and their loved ones’ wishes are respected.’
Greater Manchester Police said while formal identification is yet to take place, the families of Mr Daulby and Mr Cravitz, both from Crumpsall, have been informed and offered support by family liaison officers.
On Friday morning, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed extra officers would provide a ‘high visibility’ presence in North Manchester, Bury, and Salford within Jewish communities and around synagogues.
There will also be increased visits to local places of worship, police added.
Further plans will be developed throughout Friday to cover into the evening and across the weekend.
Greater Manchester Police has been contacted for comment.
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