ANDREW Smith has said it is up to individual MPs and assistants to decide if they want to take part in self-defence training following the death of Labour MP Jo Cox.

Politicians and their assistants are being invited to sign up for combat classes in Krav Maga – a combination of boxing, judo and jiu jitsu – to keep them safe while out and about.

But the Oxford East MP said although neither he nor his assistants would be likely to take the classes, it was important to give more protection to those on the front line of public life.

He said: "It is quite right that this training should be made available but it should be up to individual MPs.

"I would hope will take a common sense approach to matters of security, if MPs or staff are in a particularly vulnerable situation they should take precautions.

"But you can not let these kinds of things cramp the way you carry out your everyday life."

He added that more combat training should be offered to members of emergency services who may face "difficult situations" in their jobs.

In June Mr Smith revealed to the Oxford Mail that he had received a death threat himself in 2003.

The Mail on Sunday reported that two MPs and 18 assistants attended the first free session last week.

MP for Henley John Howell said neither he or his staff would be taking part.

Fellow Oxfordshire MPs Nicola Blackwood and Victoria Prentis declined to comment, while David Cameron did not respond to requests from the Oxford Mail.