Irate radio listener terrorised MP

A Labour MP was terrorised by a radio listener who sent emails threatening to ‘end her career,’ a court heard.

Brian Haven, 59, sent six abusive messages to Florence Eshalomi, Labour MP for Vauxhall, between 15 December 2020 to 1 February 2021.

He continued to harass the 40-year-old MP even after she blocked his original email address, and told her he had spotted her grocery shopping with her family.

Haven told police he sent the emails after “becoming very angry” while listening to her on LBC.

The emails were also sent to an unnamed LBC presenter, Private Eye magazine, Labour Leader Keir Starmer, and the party’s former leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Ms Eshalomi said in a statement: ‘Upon receiving the first email, I didn’t want to read the whole email, but I was very concerned about the tone and content.

‘This made me fear for my safety. Among the many false claims, claiming that I’m an anti-Semite and used the terms “Jews out, Y*ds out” was among the most offensive.

‘I tried to ignore the emails, but I grew concerned. There were references to my husband and my family.

‘I’m angry that valuable police and court time will be spend on this case. I hope Mr Haven appreciates the impact of these emails and will not contact me again.’

Mrs Eshalomi said the emails made her avoid public transport, carry a personal alarm when outside late at night, and phone her husband when she started travelling home.

Long-haired Haven appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, wearing a pinstriped jacket, white trousers, and silver trainers, and told Judge Nicholas Rimmer: ‘I’m really sorry, I had no idea about the impact on Mrs Eshalomi.’

Prosecutor Anna Dutka said: ‘The emails are quite lengthy and rambling.

‘They contain attacks on Mrs Eshalomi’s physical appearance, allegations of corruption, and allegations she has used public monies to fund her own cosmetic surgeries.

‘There are also accusations that she is a fascist and a Nazi, accusations that are also made against Keir Stamer, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, and Jeremy Corbyn.

‘There are also accusations of corruption and threats to her political career.

‘Particularly upsetting were threats against her personal safety and threats against her family.

‘These threats included: “No-one displeases Mr Brian Haven without paying the price.” and “Revenge is a dish best served cold.”

‘He claims he saw her “buying up vast amounts of groceries to feed your fat on-the-take face and your greedy husband.”

Ms Eshalomi blocked Haven’s email address after the fifth email was sent on 19 December 2020, but he sent a sixth abusive email on 1 February 2021 from a second email address.

During a police interview on 22 February this year Haven accepted he owned both email addresses and had sent the emails.

Kathleen Joyce, for Haven, said: He is very sorry and that message should go back to the victim, he regrets what he said and all of his claims were false, incorrect, and offensive.’

District Judge Nicholas Rimmer told Haven, said: ‘In any view, this is disturbing behaviour.

‘You should not close your mind to the final sentence, all options will be available to the court, including imprisonment.’

Haven, of Wavertree, Brixton, was released on bail on the condition he does not contact Mrs Eshalomi ahead of sentence at Westminster Magistrates Court on 16 June.

He admitted harassment without violence.