THUG SCOT JAILED FOR MP THREAT
Idiot called her office and promised to cut her after a misjudged joke in speech
A THUG who threatened to cut an MP who made a bad taste historical joke in a speech in Parliament was jailed for six months yesterday.
Zackary Welsh, of Pilton, Edinburgh, left the abusive message at the constituency office of MP Lucy Frazer in 2015.
The South East Cambridgeshire MP had joked she had the answer to the “West Lothian Question” – on whether MPs from outside England should vote on English matters. She said Oliver Cromwell, who came from her area, brought Scotland into his Protectorate after winning the Battle of Dunbar in 1650.
About 3000 prisoners died on the subsequent 118-mile march to Durham or in jail there while 1400 others were sent away as slave labour.
The MP was bombarded with messages and quickly said she was sorry and had “the highest regard for the Scottish people”, Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard.
Welsh, 23, left her what Sheriff Donald Corke called a “vile, vulgar and abusive” voicemail.
He added: “You made a threat to come down and cut her if she did not apologise for the remarks.
“This is a truly appalling act of intimidation, not least because of the tragic death of Jo Cox MP.”
He added: “Whether you like it or not, you are not the voice of the people of Scotland.”
The threats and abuse from Welsh, he said, would be distressing to her, her staff and family.
Welsh previously pled guilty and the sheriff said that although alcohol played a part in Welsh’s actions, it was no excuse.
He would have sentenced Welsh to eight months in jail but reduced it to six because of his guilty plea.