A CONSERVATIVE MP has been charged with an alleged racially aggravated public order offence, police have confirmed.
Bob Stewart, the Tory MP for Beckenham, was charged in connection with an alleged incident said to have taken place outside the Foreign Office’s Lancaster House on December 14 last year, according to the Metropolitan Police.
Police opened a case after the complaint from activist Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei, who says he is living in exile after being tortured in the Gulf state of Bahrain.
In a statement, the force said: “Robert Alexander Stewart, 73, a Member of Parliament, of Beckenham, Bromley, was charged by postal requisition on Monday June 5 with: Using threatening or abusive words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour and the offence was racially aggravated. (Contrary to section 31 (1) (c) and (5) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.)
“Using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. (Contrary to section 5 (1) and (6) of the Public Order Act 1986.)
“Both offences are alleged to have occurred on Wednesday, 14 December 2022 in Belgravia, London, SW1.
“Stewart will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 5 July.”
It said both charges related to the same incident and that the “second offence is an alternative charge to allow the court discretion on the racial element”.
