Sir Gavin Williamson: MP's stalker gets restraining order

A protester who "harassed and stalked" former education secretary Sir Gavin Williamson has been spared jail but given a restraining order.

The Conservative MP said he felt "incredibly threatened" by Simon Parry, who "persistently followed" him near the Houses of Parliament.

Parry, 45, was found guilty of stalking and given a 10-week suspended sentence.

He was also banned from contacting or being near the South Staffordshire MP for five years.

Parry had followed Sir Gavin on two occasions near the Houses of Parliament on May 24 and June 14.

He voiced anti-vaccination views and spoke of conspiracy theories.

At Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday, he was given a 10-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, having been convicted last month of one count of stalking.

Sentencing Parry, deputy chief magistrate Tan Ikram said: "It is an aggravated feature that public servants who are trying their best are harassed and stalked in this sort of way.

"It deters good people from entering public service."

He went on: "You do not fully accept you're wrong and think that this is an appropriate way to challenge Members of Parliament.

"Let me be clear, it is not."

Parry, from Walworth, south London, was ordered not to contact Sir Gavin or his office or knowingly be within 100 metres of him.

Mr Ikram added: "It is necessary and proportionate to deal with the risks in this case."