Man admits sending racist and abusive emails to MPs

Ukip supporter David Hall sent the emails in the wake of a Brexit debate in Parliament

A man who sent racist and threatening emails to six MPs has been given a nine-week suspended jail term.

David William Hall, 72, of Wolverhampton, admitted six counts of sending grossly offensive messages, including one to David Lammy urging him to "remember what happened to Jo Cox".

Emails were also sent to MPs Dominic Grieve, Anna Soubry, Nicky Morgan and Heidi Allen.

In an email to Eleanor Smith, Hall said she should be put on a "banana boat".

Former education secretary Ms Morgan said the "threats of violence or death" crossed a line.

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'Burn in hell'

Ukip supporter Hall sent the emails last December, in the wake of a Brexit debate in Parliament, Walsall Magistrates' Court heard.

One email, littered with capital letters and exclamation marks, was sent by Hall to four of the MPs after a parliamentary vote on an amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill.

It had in the subject line: "Your back stabbing treachery" and read: "You deserve to be HUNG for your attack on our democracy yesterday."

The email concluded, in capitals: "May you burn in hell for eternity."

Eleanor Smith, MP for Wolverhampton south west, was targeted by Hall

Prosecutor Matthew Brook said an email to Wolverhampton MP Eleanor Smith was sent after she made comments about the Black Country flag.

Mr Lammy and Ms Morgan attended court to give evidence against Hall when he entered his guilty pleas.

MPs David Lammy and Nicky Morgan gave evidence against Hall

Speaking outside court Ms Morgan, Conservative MP for Loughborough, said: "MPs are of course subject to robust debate and scrutiny, which is what we should be.

"When things tip over into threats of violence or death, then I think a line has been crossed."