Three deny public order offences after protest at Keir Starmer's home

Three people have denied public order offences following a pro-Palestinian protest at the home of Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.

Youth Demand demonstrators placed children's shoes in his front garden and hung a banner on the hedge.

Prosecutor David Burns told Westminster Magistrates' Court the incident had "really affected" Sir Keir's wife.

He said she had returned from shopping with her son but could not go home because she "felt intimidated".

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Leonorah Ward, 21, of Leeds, Zosia Lewis, 23, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Daniel Formentin, 24, of Leeds, have been charged with section 42 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 and for breaching court bail.

In footage posted by the group, the demonstrators urged Sir Keir to "use his influence" to stop the UK sending arms to Israel and to block further oil and gas licences from being issued.

On Tuesday Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned the incident, saying: "I don't care what your politics are, no MP should be harassed at their own home.

"We cannot and will not tolerate this."

There has been growing concern generally about the safety of MPs since the outbreak of the war in Gaza.

Earlier this year, more than 60 people gathered at the home of Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood to call for a ceasefire in the conflict.

Another Tory, Mike Freer, said he would be standing down as an MP, saying death threats and an alleged arson attack on his office had "become too much".

In February, the government announced a £31m package to protect democratic processes - including money to give MPs extra security.