Man could be jailed for death threat to Labour MP

A 37-year-old man is facing jail after he admitted making a death threat call to a Labour MP – the day before fellow MP Jo Cox was shot and stabbed to death.

Geoffrey Farquharson left a message of ‘venom’ on the Parliamentary office phone of MP Ben Bradshaw in Westminster on 15 June.

The two minute rant ended with Farguharson warning Mr Bradshaw - ‘I will kill you, you b****’.

In the call, Farquharson, who lives in Exeter city centre, used homophobic language to Mr Bradshaw, who is gay. He made vile and derogatory comments about Mr Bradshaw’s sexual preferences adding he liked ‘Muslims here’ before making the death threat.

Farquharson, who admitted sending a communication of an indecent or offensive nature, had introduced himself on the call giving his name and full address.Prosecutor Jo Clark said the case surrounded ‘an abusive and threatening voicemail message’ to Ben Bradshaw which was picked up by his Westminster office staff.

District Judge Diana Baker said: ”It is extremely offensive and very unpleasant.” She said the court should hear it so they got a flavour of what was said.

Mr Bradshaw said in a victim impact statement that he had received death threats before and was not unduly concerned.

He continued that, following the murder of Jo Cox, anxiety had been heightened over violence towards public servants.

Farquharson's lawyer Sue Snow said people were clearly vulnerable to threats at this time but said her client sounded ‘unbalanced and upset’ as he made the call.

District Judge Baker said it was a very unpleasant threat to an MP which contained ‘venom’.

Farquharson told the court: 'I do apologise for that call.'

District Judge Baker said Farquharson faces a jail sentence but adjourned the case for probation and a psychiatric assessment.

He was bailed until August for sentencing and was warned not to contact Mr Bradshaw or his office or go to Westminster.