West London man jailed for calling MP Anna Soubry's office to say she should be 'Jo Cox'd'

A west London man who called an MP’s office to say she should be “Jo Cox’d” has been jailed.

John Wombell, 58, called the office of Conservative MP Anna Soubry in Nottingham to make the threat in November last year.

It came after the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox, who was shot and stabbed to death by Thomas Mair in June 2016.

Wombell, of Cherry Orchard in West Drayton, Hillingdon, called Broxtowe MP Ms Soubry’s office and delivered his message to staff.

He was later tracked down by police and arrested on February 8 this year.

On Monday Wombell pleaded guilty to sending a message that was grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing in nature.

He was jailed for eight weeks at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. He was also issued with a restraining order.

Speaking after his conviction, the former minister for small business thanked both the Met and Nottingham police forces on Twitter.

She said: “Thank you @MetPoliceUK and @NottsPolice – man who called my constituency office saying I shld be “Jo Coxd” pleaded G and got 8 weeks in prison”.

The pro-Remain MP added that her constituency team were the victims. She said: “Strong message courts won’t tolerate malicious calls.

“MP’s staff deserve respect.”

The politician received several messages of support from wellwishers online.

Fellow MP for Glenrothes and Central Fife, Peter Grant, said: “Don’t often agree with you but threats like this are unacceptable. But an 8 week prison sentence is a waste of time.”

Ms Soubry also contacted police after a threat was apparently made to her via social media also calling for her to be murdered in the same way as Jo Cox.

According to the BBC, a 25-year-old man has been arrested over the tweet on December 2 and released on bail.