Newly-elected Labour MP Claudia Webbe claims she is ‘innocent of any wrongdoing’ and vows to ‘vigorously’ defend herself after being charged with harassing a woman for almost two years
- Labour MP for Leicester East Claudia Webbe is charged with harassing a woman
- She is accused of carrying out offence between September 2018 and April 2020
- Ms Webbe has issued a statement saying she is ‘innocent of any wrongdoing’
- 55-year-old MP will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on November 11
- She has represented her constituency since being elected in December 2019
Claudia Webbe, Labour MP for Leicester East, is pictured in London last November
Labour MP Claudia Webbe has said she is ‘innocent of any wrongdoing’ after she was today charged with harassing a woman over a period of nearly two years.
The MP for Leicester East, who is accused of carrying out the offence between September 2018 and April 26 this year, will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on November 11.
In a statement, Ms Webbe said: ‘I am innocent of any wrongdoing and look forward to proving this in court.
‘I will be vigorously defending myself against these claims.’
The 55-year-old Leicester-born politician has represented her constituency since being elected in December 2019.
Webbe was charged after the Metropolitan Police passed a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service, but no further details are known about the alleged offence.
Jenny Hopkins from the CPS said: ‘The CPS has today decided that Claudia Webbe, MP for Leicester East, should be charged with an offence of harassment against one female.
‘The CPS made the decision after receiving a file of evidence from the Metropolitan Police.
Leicester East MP Claudia Webbe is pictured with former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn
‘Criminal proceedings against Ms Webbe are now active and she has the right to a fair trial.
‘It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.’
Webbe hit the headlines in July when she threw her mobile phone to the floor of the House of Commons in frustration after it started ringing while she was speaking.
The De Montfort University graduate was elected on December last year with a majority of 6,019, or 12.2 per cent. She was preceded in the seat by Keith Vaz.