68-year-old man arrested over abusive emails to Angela Rayner
He has been released on bail
Last updated 20th Jan 2022
A 68-year-old man was arrested by officers from Greater Manchester Police, alongside Sussex Police yesterday (19th January) for sending abusive emails to deputy Labour leader and Ashton-under-Lyne MP Angela Rayner.
He was arrested at an address in Brighton on suspicion of malicious communications. He has since been released on bail.
A spokesman for Ms Rayner confirmed the arrest announced by Greater Manchester Police related to her, adding: "We are working with the police to ensure that the perpetrators of these crimes are brought to justice and Angela would like to thank the police for their work during these investigations.
"Abuse and threats of this nature don't just have an impact on Angela but also on her family, her children and her staff, who are on the receiving end of these communications."
The arrest forms part of an ongoing investigation - codenamed Operation Octant - into malicious communications sent to a woman in the Ashton-under-Lyne area.
This latest arrest relates to abusive emails sent to Ms Rayner on 17 November.
Four arrests have been made so far as part of the investigation, resulting in one man being charged and sentenced in connection.
Enquiries remain ongoing.
Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 9262 via 101 or Greater Manchester Police's LiveChat function. Alternatively details can be passed via the anonymous charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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