MP appeals against her harassment conviction

CHALLENGE MADE TO CONVICTION AND SENTENCE

MP Claudia Webbe has launched her appeal against her harassment conviction.

The 56-year-old Leicester East MP was handed a 10-week jail term, suspected for two years, at Westminster Magistrates’ Court this month after she was found guilty of harassing Michelle Merritt, a friend of her partner, Lester Thomas.

A 12-minute hearing at Southward Crown Court yesterday was told Webbe was appealing against her conviction and would also lodge a complaint against her sentence.

Mr Thomas could potentially be called to give evidence, prosecution counsel Tom Doble said. Ms Merritt would also likely be called to give evidence.

Judge Deborah Taylor told Webbe’s counsel, Raj Chada: “No doubt the appellant has been told sentences can go up as well as down.”

Mr Chada replied: “She has been advised.”

Webbe, pictured, was not present in court for the hearing.

The appeal is scheduled to be heard from March 9 next year and could last up to three days.

The MP has repeatedly said she is innocent and said she felt like a victim herself due to abuse she said she received on social media.

She remains an independent MP after being suspended from the Labour Party when the case was first brought.

She was expelled following her sentencing.

Any recall petition – the process by which an MP can be removed – will have to wait until the outcome of her appeal.

If such a petition got the support of at least 10 per cent of Leicester East constituents it would trigger a by-election.

Pending the appeal, the party has said it would push for a recall to force a by-election if Webbe does not quit the Commons.