The Liberal MP who was accused of making an insulting gesture toward Conservative MPs during a House of Commons vote on the carbon tax claimed he has been harrassed on social media.

“I have received threats of violence. I have had people threaten to cause violence at my constituency office and I regret to say that I have also received death threats. This is not OK. My staff are scared and members of my family are scared,” Liberal MP Ken McDonald told the chamber on Nov. 8.

According to Blacklock’s Reporter, the MP for Newfoundland and Labrador denied making an obscene hand gesture on Nov. 6 when voting against a Tory motion to suspend the federal carbon tax on home heating. The motion failed 186 to 135, despite having the support of the NDP.