Monday 26 September 2016

No Charge For Tory MP Accused Of Offensive Window Gesture

Hendon MP Matthew Offord has had a charge of threatening behaviour against him dropped at Hendon Magistrates Court last Friday.

The 46 year-old Tory did not appear before the court, which was told the Crown Prosecution Service discontinued the case late the day before.

The court register gave his address as his constituency office at Churchill House, 120 burns Lane, Hendon, where the incident occurred on May 5.

It was alleged he made explicit gestures from his office window at passing Labour campaigners, who were travelling on a decommissioned fire engine.

The Fire Brigades Union vehicle was being used by ex-Labour MP Andrew Dismore and driven by union member Steve James.

Offord was interviewed by police at South Harrow Police Station on June 24 and summoned to court via requisition.

He was due to appear on a charge of using threatening or abusive words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress, contrary to Section 5 of the Public Order Act.

The CPS ruled there was “no realistic prospect of conviction.”

The MP had no representative in court, but his solicitors Hodge Jones & Allen, of North Gower Street, Camden successfully applied for defence costs.

No details of the allegation were given in court.

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