Man cleared of harassing Sir Ed Davey and wife
Inigo Rowland, was found not guilty at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court.
A man has been cleared of harassing Sir Ed Davey and his wife after turning up at their family home twice.
Inigo Rowland, 58, was found not guilty of harassing Lady Emily Davey without violence between June 1 and October 6 this year at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court on Monday.
The court heard Rowland was accused of repeatedly asking her to speak to Sir Ed, the Kingston and Surbiton MP and Liberal Democrat leader, and that he had come to their family home in summer 2025 and again in September that year.
Delivering his verdict, District Judge Sushil Kumar said he was satisfied Rowland was present at both incidents and that while it was clear he was "not welcome" at the property during the September encounter, he was not satisfied the defendant's actions met the criminal standard required for the charges or constituted the "unacceptable and the oppressive".
"I have not been satisfied of your guilt within the terms required by section two, notwithstanding the description I have given of your behaviour," the judge said, addressing the defendant.
"I therefore find you not guilty of harassment."
The judge said Rowland had been an "annoyance" during the first visit to the Davey home, and that it would have been "readily apparent" his presence was "unwelcome" during the second incident.
Giving evidence, the defendant denied speaking to Lady Davey on her driveway on one occasion, saying it was "impossible" as he is "never up at 10 o'clock on a Saturday morning" because he always stays up very late on Friday evenings.
Of the second incident, Rowland admitted going to Sir Ed's family house in September after being told by the MP's constituency office that he should send an email to book an appointment, but denied being angry.
The defendant denied that he had been asked to leave by Lady Davey and their son John's carers, saying he left of his own accord.
Sir Ed and Lady Davey's son, who has severe disabilities, was 17 years old and their daughter was 11 at the time. Both children lived at the house and their son had two carers.
Rowland, who wore a grey suit, waistcoat and tie, previously admitted possession of a flick knife in the Borough of Kingston on October 6 and will be sentenced for this offence on December 8.
He was released on bail ahead of his sentencing.
On Monday, the court said a charge against Rowland of stalking Lady Davey had been dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service.
A spokesperson for the Liberal Democrat leader said: "Ed won't be offering any further comment at this time."