A Greek politician’s mother has died in a targeted arson attack, intensifying calls for Britain to contribute to European anti-terrorism funding. The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday morning in a suburb of Athens, has sent shockwaves through the nation and raised pressing questions about the security of public figures across Europe.
The victim, 68-year-old Eleni Papadopoulos, was the mother of prominent opposition MP Nikos Papadopoulos. Firefighters found her body in the charred remains of her home after neighbours reported seeing flames and hearing an explosion. Authorities have confirmed that accelerants were used, and a far-left extremist group has claimed responsibility, citing the MP’s involvement in anti-corruption legislation targeting organised crime.
Nikos Papadopoulos, visibly distraught, addressed the media outside parliament. “My mother was an innocent woman. She paid for my work, for my commitment to justice. This is not just an attack on my family, but on democracy itself.” His voice wavered as he called for international solidarity against terrorism.
The incident has reignited a debate in Brussels and Westminster about the UK’s role in European security post-Brexit. While Britain maintains strong intelligence-sharing agreements with EU states, funding for joint counter-terrorism initiatives has been a sticking point. Labour MP Sarah Jones, chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee, said: “This tragedy is a stark reminder that terrorism does not respect borders. The UK must step up its financial commitment to European anti-terror operations. We cannot afford to be insular when our allies are under attack.”
However, some Conservative backbenchers remain sceptical. “We left the EU precisely to control our own spending,” said Jacob Rees-Mogg. “Our police and security services already cooperate effectively. Throwing money at EU-wide schemes is no guarantee of safety.”
The Greek government has formally requested assistance from the European Union’s counter-terrorism fund, which the UK contributed to before Brexit. With British contributions now absent, the fund faces a shortfall of roughly €50 million annually. A Downing Street spokesperson said the UK “stands in solidarity with Greece” and is reviewing its anti-terror aid commitments, but no new pledges have been made.
For many in Britain, the attack hits close to home. The UK has its own history of political violence, from the Brighton bombing to the murder of MP Jo Cox. Yet regional inequality means that anti-terror resources are often stretched thin. In Northern towns like Burnley and Doncaster, police budgets have been slashed, leaving communities vulnerable.
Joanne Stead, a 54-year-old shop assistant in Sheffield, summed up the mood: “When I heard about that poor woman, I thought of my own mum. We’re all connected. If we can help stop this happening here, we should. But I also worry about the cost of living. Where’s the money going to come from?”
Her words capture the dilemma at the heart of this story: the tension between security spending and the everyday struggles of ordinary families. As the nation mourns with Greece, the question remains: will the government put its hand in its pocket, or will it watch from the sidelines?
