MP's wife sent dead bird in post

A Labour MP's wife has spoken of her shock after being sent a dead bird in the post. Newly-elected councillor Jo White, the wife of Nottinghamshire MP John Mann, discovered the decomposing bird at their home earlier this week.

In a statement, Ms White said she was left shaken and frightened after finding the package on treturning home from her first official meeting at Bassetlaw District Council.

"I came home and found a pile of post waiting for me," she said. "While there was an unpleasant smell, I thought nothing of it until I began opening the last package, when the smell became so overwhelming I retched and felt really sick."

Ms White, who was elected to the Worksop East ward at this month's local elections, added: "I put the package outside and called the police, who have been absolutely brilliant. They took away the bird along with the package for DNA investigation – I really hope they find whoever did this."

John Mann, who has represented the Bassetlaw constituency since 2001, said: "It's appalling that a new councillor should have to deal with this in their first week."