Labour MP terrorised by man with a noose

A Labour MP was terrorised by a man holding up a makeshift gallows with a noose outside Parliament.

Lance O’Connor, 57, called out the name of Hove MP Peter Kyle in Parliament Square, central London, while he was walking back to his office in Portcullis House.

The MP had told a court how O’Connor pointed at the makeshift 6ft gallows on October 20 last year and said: ‘This is what happens to traitors.’

O’Connor was convicted of harassment with intent to cause fear or distress, following a trial at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in May.

Giving evidence Mr Kyle had said he felt ‘shocked’ after the incident.

O’Connor is appealing against his conviction, insisting he did not intend to cause distress and was protesting about the ‘draconian’ lockdown measures that had been put in force at the time.

Representing himself O’Connor told Southwark Crown Court today (thurs) ‘I feel like I’m being rail-roaded’.

Wearing a black t-shirt that read ‘unmasked, unmuzzled, unvaccinated, unafraid’ he said: ‘The CPS is not doing their job and I feel like you are still trying to make me agree to be prosecuted without having an advocate.

‘I believe your trying to railroad me into me not having my lawful representation.

‘They [the CPS] said there is a video of ‘the incident’ I have none of that, so I want that too, I want any and or evidence they have.’

The judge, Mr Recorder Jeremy Barnett said: ‘What I’m going to do is relist the case for a directions hearing. And we can determine whether the date that has been assigned is adequate and whether there are any issues.’

O’Connor, from Newham, east London, was bailed ahead of a further case management hearing on 6 December with his appeal set for 6 January 2023.