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Labor MP Claudia Webbe has been charged with a crime of harassment and will appear in court next month, the Crown Prosecution Service announced.
Webbe, a former London councilor who was elected MP for Leicester East in the 2019 elections, was charged with harassment against a woman, the CPS said in a statement.
The 55-year-old has been charged following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police and is due to appear in Westminster Court of First Instance on 11 November. The alleged crime is said to have taken place between September 1, 2018 and April 26 of this year.
Jenny Hopkins, head of the CPS special crime unit, said in a statement: “The CPS has decided today that Claudia Webbe, an MP from Leicester East, should be charged with a crime of harassment against a woman. The CPS made the decision after receiving a file of evidence from the Metropolitan Police.
“The criminal proceedings against Ms. Webbe are now active and she is entitled to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there are no reports, comments or information exchange online that could in any way impair these procedures “
Webbe said: “I am innocent of any crime and I hope to prove it in court. I will vigorously defend myself against these claims. “
Webbe was born and raised in Leicester, but his adoption to the Leicester East seat after his tenure as a councilor and cabinet member on the Islington council sparked some complaints within the local party.
He won the constituency with a majority of just over 6,000, compared to a majority of more than 22,000 for former MP Keith Vaz.
