Mark Tew is accused of sending threatening and offensive messages to Sir Keir Starmer
(Picture: ES)A north London man accused of sending threatening and abusive messages to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and former Home Secretary Priti Patel is facing an 18-month delay before he can stand trial.
Mark Tew, 60, allegedly targeted the senior politicians repeatedly with emails sent between January and November last year, it is said.
At a hearing at Southwark crown court on Friday, Tew pleaded not guilty to six offences under the Malicious Communications Act.
His trial is expected to last no longer than three days, but cannot take place until August 2024 due to the court’s lengthy backlog of cases.
Prosecutor Paul Jarvis confirmed that neither Starmer nor Patel are expected to be witnesses at the trial, in a discussion with Judge Martin Griffith about the delay.
“There is a statement from (Commons Speaker) Lindsay Hoyle which gives the background to Parliamentary procedure”, said Mr Jarvis.
The judge wryly remarked: “(The trial) will be so far away, who knows in which role he will be, or if he will be in the Houses of Parliament.”
He added that Starmer himself might not be Leader of the Opposition anymore when the trial ultimately arrives.
Turning to the defendant, the judge added: “Mr Tew, I’m not laughing at you in any way. I’m laughing at the state of the backlog in this court.
“We are going to have to wait until 2024 for your trial.”
According to the charges, Sir Keir was sent two emails which were “indecent or grossly offensive” in March 2021, allegedly “with intent to cause distress or anxiety”.
It is said he received three further emails on November 19, 2021, including another containing an alleged threat.
Ms Patel was Home Secretary in Boris Johnson’s government at the time she allegedly received an indecent or grossly offensive email in January 2021.
Tew, from Camden, has been released on bail until his trial, which is set to take place in the two weeks after August 5, 2024.
Under the terms of his bail, he must live at home and not attempt to contact any Members of Parliament.
