Leicester East MP found guilty of harassment

Claudia Webbe says she'll appeal the conviction

Author: Greg DeanPublished 13th Oct 2021

Leicester East MP Claudia Webbe has been found guilty of harassment.

Westminster Magistrates' Court heard she made a string of threatening calls to 59-year-old Michelle Merritt between September 1 2018 and April 26 last year because she was jealous of her friendship with her boyfriend.

Webbe, from Islington, north London, denied harassment, claiming she only made "courtesy calls" to warn Ms Merritt not to breach coronavirus regulations by meeting Lester Thomas.

Paul Hynes QC, defending, read out a string of character references from figures including former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, ex-shadow chancellor John McDonnell and former shadow home secretary Diane Abbott.

But Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring found her guilty on Wednesday following a two-day trial.

"I do not find the defendant to be cogent, compelling and truthful in all aspects of her evidence," he said.

"Some of the things she said I believe were made up on the spur of the moment."

He added: "In short, I find Ms Webbe to be vague, incoherent and at times illogical and ultimately I find her to be untruthful."

Mr Goldspring adjourned sentencing to November 4 and released Webbe on unconditional bail, but warned her she could face prison.

"Threatening to throw acid at somebody and to send intimate photographs to family members crosses the custody threshold," he said.

Her lawyers said she will appeal against the conviction and Webbe added in a statement: "I am deeply shocked by today's verdict.

"I am innocent and will appeal this verdict.

"As I said in court and repeat now, I have never threatened violence nor have I ever harassed anyone."

Her lawyer, Raj Chada, head of criminal defence at social justice law firm Hodge Jones & Allen added: "We will be appealing this unjust verdict. The recording of the call Ms Webbe made has been taken out of context. We are sure that Ms Webbe will be vindicated at an appeal."

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