Jess Phillips: Man fined over disturbance at MP's office

Police were called to a disturbance outside Jess Phillips' constituency office on 26 September

A man who shouted "is this the fascist party offices?" outside a Labour MP's office has been fined by magistrates.

Police were called to a disturbance at Birmingham Yardley MP Jess Phillips' constituency office in Acocks Green, on 26 September.

Michael Roby, 36, of Billesley, Birmingham, admitted a public order offence and was fined £40.

Ms Phillips said she asked for "leniency because I want to meet him and hear what he has to say".

In a tweet after the case, Ms Phillips said: "This man is the same age as me, grew up streets away from me, I know people who know him.

"I do not believe we cannot find common ground."

Roby admitted using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress, Birmingham Magistrates' Court heard.

The hearing was told he also shouted "why are you blocking democracy?" before kicking a wooden front door of the MP's office.

Magistrates also ordered Roby, who has lost his job as a warehouse worker, to pay £135 costs.

The incident came a day after MPs accused Prime Minster Boris Johnson of using "dangerous language" during a heated debate in the Commons.