Alleged neo-Nazis set for trial over Labour MP murder plot
The suspected leader of banned neo-Nazi group National Action is set to stand trial in April over an alleged plot to murder a Labour MP with a Roman sword.
Christopher Lythgoe, 31, encouraged a member of the proscribed far-right organisation to kill Rosie Cooper, 67, it is claimed.
Prosecutors say a plan to hack the MP for West Lancashire to death was devised at a pub in Warrington earlier this year.
A suspected National Action member, who cannot be named for legal reasons, allegedly bought a ‘Gladius Machete’ to kill Ms Cooper and made threats to kill a female detective after the drinking session.
The anonymous 22-year-old was one of 11 terror suspects arrested during police raids across the northwest last month.
Today (FRI) Lythgoe and the 22-year-old appeared at the Old Bailey via video link with alleged National Action members Garron Helm, 24, Matthew Hankinson, 23, Andrew Clarke, 23, and Michael Trubini, 25.
Each of the men face one count of belonging to a proscribed organisation.
Lythgoe faces a further count of encouraging another to commit murder and the 22-year-old defendant faces one count of making threats to kill and one count of preparation of an act of terrorism.
According to the final charge the terror suspect bought a weapon ‘to kill Rosie Cooper’.
Prosecutor Kiernan Cunningham said: ‘There is a count alleging all six of these defendants were members of a proscribed organisation, specifically National Action.
‘That group was proscribed by the Home Secretary on the 16 December 2016.
‘And there is a final count against Mr Lythgoe alleging he encouraged an offence and a crime which was the murder of a standing member of parliament.’
The prosecutor said there was a ‘plan to kill Rosie Cooper, the standing MP for West Lancashire’.
Judge Charles Haddon-Cave remanded the six defendants in custody and said: ‘I have decided that this case ought to be heard at Woolwich crown court on a date to be fixed after April 9.’
Lythgoe, of Greymist Avenue, Woolston, Warrington, Helm, of Gladstone Road, Seaforth, Merseyside, Hankinsin, of Market Street, Newton Le Willows, Merseyside, Clarke, of Latham Close, Prescot, Liverpool, Trubini, of Dutton Court, Warrington, Cheshire, and the 22-year-old will next appear at Woolwich crown court for a preliminary hearing on a date yet to be set.
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