Angela Rayner apologises for Tory ‘scum’ comments after receiving death threats

Angela Rayner has apologised for her “Tory scum” comments in the wake of increased “threats and abuse” facing MPs. 

A court heard on Thursday that a delivery driver who sent the deputy Labour leader a death threat was partially motivated by the MP’s words during her party conference speech.

Benjamin Iliffe, 36, sent the threat to Ms Rayner in response to the killing of Conservative MP Sir David Amess because he believed her remarks were “partially responsible” for the attack.

He admitted sending a threatening email to her and was sentenced to 15 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months.

Ms Rayner wrote on Facebook on Thursday: "While I have been away from the cut and thrust of Parliament I have reflected on our political debate and the threats and abuse that now seem to feature all too often.

“I have also reflected on what I said at an event at Labour party conference.

“I was angry about where our country is headed and policies that have made life harder for so many people I represent. But I would like to unreservedly apologise for the language I used, and I would not use it again.

"I will continue to speak my mind, stand up for Labour values and hold the Government to account. But in the future I will be more careful about how I do that and in the language that I choose.

"I want to address the threats I have received recently. In the past I have been reluctant to speak out about the abuse that I receive because I fear that doing so will only make the situation worse.

"However, in recent weeks the threats that I have received against my life and the lives of close family have been so terrifying and explicit that I could not stay silent and simply continue to take it as 'part of the job'.

"They have had a devastating impact on me, my children and others close to me."

Iliffe's email told Ms Rayner to "watch your back and your kids" the day after the MP for Southend West was stabbed to death in a suspected terror attack. 

The defendant, who appeared by video-link from Thorpe Wood police station in Peterborough, in Cambridgeshire, admitted sending the threatening email, but was spared jail.

The email also said: "There's so many people in this country now, after your poster boy murdered an Englishman who are coming after you now (sic).

"You were easy to find btw (by the way). I already found your personal home address."

Iliffe's probation officer told the court that following the death of Sir David, he felt angry at the Ms Rayner for previously referring to members of the Conservative Party as "Tory scum". 

"He reports that he felt she was making light of the situation and felt angry as a result of this," the probation officer said.  

"He stated he wanted to vent, and felt that somebody needed to tell her she was partially responsible for the attack, following her use of language."

The court heard how after reflection on his actions, Iliffe accepted he had "expressed himself wrongly, and he himself had also used the wrong language in order to communicate his point".

The probation officer added: "In my opinion, this current offence was deliberate and intentional to harm the victim as Mr Iliffe wanted her to feel accountable for what he believed she had contributed to. 

"However, he accepted, in hindsight, it was ill-considered and sent impulsively."

Threats caused MP psychological harm

Presiding magistrate Andrew Riddington, sentencing on Thursday, said: "We believe that the offences are so serious that it does cross the custody threshold.

"It's so serious because of the psychological harm caused to a public servant."

However, he said the sentence could be suspended after credit for Iliffe's guilty pleas and the "remorse shown".

Mr Riddington said he hoped the rehabilitation activity would help the defendant with his "low self esteem" and "drug use".

Claire Thorneley, mitigating, said Iliffe had no previous convictions.

"It's one email sent from his own personal account with no attempt to disguise himself," she said.

"He made full admissions in police interview as to his conduct. He was very apologetic and remorseful.

"He's expressed twice that he would wish an opportunity to apologise personally to Ms Rayner for the fear and distress he caused."

The defendant admitted to sending the threatening email and also admitted to possessing a quantity of cannabis on Wednesday, when he was arrested.

Iliffe, of Chatteris in Cambridgeshire, was sentenced to 15 weeks in prison suspended for 18 months.

He was made subject of a two-year restraining order not to contact Ms Rayner directly or indirectly, not to talk about her on social media and not to go to her office in Ashton-under-Lyne in Manchester.

The defendant was also ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and 35 days of a rehabilitation activity. He was made to pay £85 costs, a £128 victim surcharge and fined £50 for the cannabis, which was ordered to be forfeited and destroyed.

Iliffe expressed his desire to want to apologise to Ms Rayner, and was tearful when discussing the impact this may have had on her. But he accepted he would need permission to do so due to the restraining order.

On Wednesday, sharing the news of Iliffe's arrest, Ms Rayner tweeted: "I want to thank the officers at Greater Manchester Police for their work in this investigation and for supporting me, my family and my staff during this time, which has been particularly difficult for my children."

Two men, aged 52 and 70, arrested in Yorkshire after death threats

In a statement, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) also said a 52-year-old man arrested in Halifax, West Yorkshire, on Wednesday has been bailed, while a 70-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of malicious communication relating to abusive emails received on Saturday, Oct 16.

The Telegraph understands that Ms Rayner has been the subject of death threats.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: "One man has been charged and an additional arrest has been made in relation to a police investigation into multiple reports of threatening and abusive phone calls, emails and letters towards a woman in Ashton-under-Lyne.

"Yesterday (Wednesday, Oct 27) officers from GMP attended an address in Halifax and arrested a 52-year-old man.

"The man was arrested on suspicion of malicious communications and has since been released on bail pending further enquiries. His arrest relates to abusive phone calls received on Friday 15 October.

"An additional arrest was made this morning (28 October) in conjunction with South Yorkshire Police. A 70-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of malicious communication and he remains in custody for questioning.

"His arrest relates to abusive emails received on Saturday 16 October.

On Wednesday spokesperson for Angela Rayner said: "Angela and her staff have received a number of threatening, malicious and abusive communications in recent weeks. 

"We are working with the police to ensure that the perpetrators of these crimes are brought to justice and Angela would like to thank the police for their work during these investigations.

"Abuse and threats of this nature don't just have an impact on Angela but also on her family, her children and her staff who are on the receiving end of these communications.

"Angela is currently on bereavement leave after losing a close loved one and she looks forward to being back at work as soon as possible."