Angela Rayner: Man charged over threats to deputy Labour leader

3 years ago 33

ARTICLE AD BOX

Image caption, Police said Angela Rayner had received a number of abusive calls earlier this month

A man has been charged after deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner received threatening and abusive phone calls.

Benjamin Iliffe, 36, of Slade Way in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, was charged with malicious communications and possession of cannabis.

He has been remanded in custody to appear before Huntingdon Magistrates' Court later.

Ms Rayner thanked the police "for their work during these investigations".

A spokesman for the Ashton-under-Lyne MP said she had received several threatening, malicious and abusive communications in recent weeks.

Two other people have been held in connection with matter.

Greater Manchester Police said a 70-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of malicious communications earlier, in conjunction with South Yorkshire Police.

That arrest related to abusive e-mails received on 16 October, police said.

A 52-year-old man was also held in Halifax on suspicion of malicious communications on Wednesday over abusive phone calls made to the Labour MP on 15 October.

He was later released on bail.