Partner of disgraced MP could give evidence

The partner of disgraced MP Claudia Webbe may be called to give evidence for the first time as she tries to overturn her harassment conviction, a court has heard.

The 56-year-old former Labour MP for Leicester East was handed a suspended 10-week jail term, after being found guilty in November of harassing Michelle Merritt, a friend of her boyfriend Lester Thomas.

A review hearing yesterday, ahead of an appeal against the conviction and sentence on March 9, heard that Mr Thomas could be called as a witness, with body-worn camera footage from police officers who responded to the incident expected to be played if he is.