Man who hurled abuse at MP Anna Soubry admits calling her a 'Nazi'
Video report by ITV News Correspondent Martha Fairlie
A man has admitted to insulting Remain-supporting MP Anna Soubry by calling her a Nazi.
James Goddard, 30, filmed himself hurling abuse at the former Conservative MP after claiming she was a "traitor" for betraying the country's vote to leave the EU in 2016.
He and fellow defendant Brian Phillips, who pleaded guilty to the first charge, were released on bail ahead of sentencing on Monday afternoon.
At Westminster Magistrates Court on Friday, Goddard admitted one charge of intent to cause Ms Soubry harassment, alarm or distress, using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour.
He also admitted one racially aggravated public order offence towards a police officer.
Prosecutor Paul Jarvis described how Ms Soubry was "very shaken by what happened", after her television interview was interrupted by shouts from protesters on January 7 2019.
She was then surrounded by Goddard, Phillips and others as she made her way into the Palace of Westminster, video footage played in court showed.
Mr Jarvis said: "She found being described as a Nazi deeply offensive.
"It left her feeling angry."
In her victim impact statement made following the incident, small sections of which were read in court, Ms Soubry said: "I was really intimidated, and I was very shaken by what happened, however I couldn't show it on camera.
"I was disorientated, I felt intimidated and harassed."
In response to Mr Goddard's court hearing, Ms Soubry tweeted: “In a democracy people have a right to peaceful lawful protest.
“No one has the right to intimidate and abuse anyone.
“Racist abuse is deplorable and should never be tolerated.”
The MP for Broxtowe resigned from the Conservative party earlier this year to join the Independent Group for Change, a pro-EU independent political party.
She has been vocal in her backing of a second referendum.