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Pro-Brexit activist denies harassing MP Anna Soubry | Pro-Brexit activist denies harassing MP Anna Soubry |
(32 minutes later) | |
A pro-Brexit activist has pleaded not guilty to harassing MP Anna Soubry outside Parliament. | A pro-Brexit activist has pleaded not guilty to harassing MP Anna Soubry outside Parliament. |
James Goddard, 29, from Altrincham, Greater Manchester, is alleged to have called the MP a "Nazi" and a "traitor". | James Goddard, 29, from Altrincham, Greater Manchester, is alleged to have called the MP a "Nazi" and a "traitor". |
He denied three charges before the case at Westminster Magistrates' Court was temporarily adjourned when people in the public gallery started shouting. | |
Mr Goddard was remanded on bail until 19 July when he will face a two-day trial at the court in London. | Mr Goddard was remanded on bail until 19 July when he will face a two-day trial at the court in London. |
He was held by police following protests outside Parliament. | |
He is charged with causing harassment between 18 December and 7 January; and racially aggravated harassment, alarm or distress, and harassment, alarm or distress on 7 January. | |
The charges have been brought under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, and the Public Order Act 1986. | |
Mr Goddard is accused of shouting and chanting at Ms Soubry as she was being interviewed by broadcasters; pursuing her along the street, loudly and repeatedly demanding she answer questions, and filming her continuously on a phone. | |
Speaking in court, he said: "It's not illegal to heckle an MP. All of this is wrong." | |
About 15 minutes into the hearing, the proceedings were adjourned after people in the public gallery started shouting that Mr Goddard should sack his lawyer and also chanted "Soubry is a Nazi". | |
Ms Soubry, the MP for Broxtowe who supports another Brexit referendum, resigned from the Conservative Party in February to join the Independent Group. |