Jess Phillips: Man fined over disturbance at MP's office

A man who shouted “is this the fascist party offices?” outside a Labour MP’s office has been fined by magistrates.

Police were called to a disturbance at Birmingham Yardley MP Jess Phillips’ constituency office in Acocks Green, Birmingham, on 26 September.

Michael Roby, 36, of Billesley, Birmingham, admitted using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

He was fined £40 at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court.

The hearing was told he also shouted “why are you blocking democracy?” before kicking a wooden front door of the MP’s office.

Speaking after the case, Ms Phillips said: “I feel sad about the whole episode, but I’m not upset about the sentence that’s been handed down to him.

“I think this man wanted to come and say his piece to me.

“It would be crass of me not to be able to take it myself, so I have requested, and I hope that is what goes on, is that he and I shall meet.”

Magistrates also ordered Roby, who has lost his job as a warehouse worker, to pay £135 costs.

The incident came a day after MPs accused Prime Minster Boris Johnson of using “dangerous language” during a heated debate in the Commons.

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