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Claudia Webbe: MP's conviction appeal to be heard next year | Claudia Webbe: MP's conviction appeal to be heard next year |
(32 minutes later) | |
Claudia Webbe was convicted of one count of harassment at Westminster Magistrates' Court | Claudia Webbe was convicted of one count of harassment at Westminster Magistrates' Court |
An MP who harassed a woman because she was jealous of her relationship with her partner has begun her bid to overturn her conviction and sentence. | |
Claudia Webbe, former Labour MP for Leicester East who is now independent, was given a 10-week sentence, suspended for two years, on Thursday. | Claudia Webbe, former Labour MP for Leicester East who is now independent, was given a 10-week sentence, suspended for two years, on Thursday. |
A court heard she threatened Michelle Merritt, a friend of Lester Thomas, with an acid attack. | |
The appeal is listed for 9 March 2022 and could last up to three days. | The appeal is listed for 9 March 2022 and could last up to three days. |
Westminster Magistrates' Court heard Webbe made several calls to Ms Merritt between September 2018 and April 2020 in a campaign of harassment. | |
On one occasion, she made an "angry" call, used a derogatory term and added: "You should be acid." | |
The court also heard how Webbe threatened to send naked images of Ms Merritt to her family, as well as a recording of a call in which Webbe is heard shouting "get out of my relationship". | |
Webbe confirmed she was still with her partner Lester Thomas | |
On Tuesday, Southwark Crown Court heard Webbe's partner could be called to give evidence in support of the 56-year-old. | |
Judge Deborah Taylor, addressing Webbe's lawyer Raj Chada, said: "No doubt the appellant has been told sentences can go up as well as down." | Judge Deborah Taylor, addressing Webbe's lawyer Raj Chada, said: "No doubt the appellant has been told sentences can go up as well as down." |
Mr Chada - who confirmed his client would be appealing both the conviction and sentence - replied: "She [Webbe] has been advised." | |
The court heard Ms Merritt would likely be called to give evidence from behind a screen. | |
Any recall petition, which would trigger a by-election if at least 10% of Webbe's constituents supported it, would have to wait until the outcome of her appeal. | Any recall petition, which would trigger a by-election if at least 10% of Webbe's constituents supported it, would have to wait until the outcome of her appeal. |
Labour, which confirmed Webbe had been expelled from the party following her sentence, said it would push for a recall petition if Webbe did not quit the Commons. | Labour, which confirmed Webbe had been expelled from the party following her sentence, said it would push for a recall petition if Webbe did not quit the Commons. |
Speaking on the Andrew Marr Show on Sunday, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called on Webbe to resign. | Speaking on the Andrew Marr Show on Sunday, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called on Webbe to resign. |
Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk. | Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk. |
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