Jealous MP Harassed Partner's Friend

A jealous MP harassed her partner's female friend.

Claudia Webbe, 56, of Islington, London, was convicted of harassment following a trial at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 13th October 2021.

Harassment is an offence contrary to section 2 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. It has a maximum penalty of 26 weeks' custody and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction.

The Leicester East MP, who currently sits as an Independent having been suspended from the Labour Party, denied making a string of menacing phone calls to Michelle Merritt between 1st September 2018 and 26th April 2020.

Ms Merritt is a friend of Webbe's boyfriend, Lester Thomas.

Senior District Judge Paul Goldspring, the Chief Magistrate, presided over the two-day trial.

The court heard various allegations against Webbe, including that she had threatened to throw acid at Ms Merritt and disclose personal sexual photographs of her.

Webbe was also accused of making numerous phone calls to Ms Merritt, many of which were silent and from withheld numbers.

In other calls Webbe voiced her opposition to Ms Merritt's continued friendship with Mr Thomas, telling her repeatedly to "get out of my relationship".

Things came to a head when Ms Merritt recorded a call she made to Webbe on 25th April 2020.

On that day Ms Merritt received two silent calls from a number she didn't recognise. Suspecting it was Webbe, Ms Merritt returned the call in order to confirm her suspicions. An irate Webbe angrily answered the phone.

Webbe could be heard saying: "I have seen all of your naked pictures, I have seen all of your relationship with Lester... Get out of my relationship otherwise I will tell your whole family and show them all your pictures."

Webbe denied that the comments were directed at Ms Merritt, saying that they were actually directed at Mr Thomas who had been stood in the background as she answered the call.

She said she had made only two "courtesy calls" to Ms Merritt before the call of 25th April.

But Judge Goldspring was unconvinced by the MP's account, saying: "I do not find the defendant to be cogent, compelling and truthful in all aspects of her evidence.

"Some of the things she said I believe were made up on the spur of the moment."

He added: "In short, I find Ms Webbe to be vague, incoherent and at times illogical... and ultimately I find her to be untruthful."

The Judge ordered a pre-sentence report, warning Webbe that all sentencing options, including custody, remained on the table.

Webbe was granted unconditional bail until her sentencing on Monday, 4th November 2021.

Raj Chada, representing Webbe, said: "We will be appealing this unjust verdict. The recording of the call Ms Webbe made has been taken out of context. We are sure that Ms Webbe will be vindicated at an appeal."

Should she wish to appeal, Webbe will have 21 days from the date of sentencing in which to make the necessary application. The case would then be re-heard, in its entirety, by a Crown Court Judge (or Recorder) sitting with two Justices.

By appealing Webbe will effectively have a second chance to get her story straight - something Judge Goldspring clearly thinks she has failed spectacularly to do.

Judge Goldspring might be persuaded to adjourn sentencing until the outcome of the appeal hearing, although he is not obliged to do so.

Update (6/11/21): Webbe has now been sentenced.

Update (26/5/22): Webbe's appeal against conviction has been dismissed.