Thread by @fascinatorfun

Brexiteer jailed for threatening to kill MPs: ‘We will cut your f***ing throat’

All credit to the MPs like Grieve that did not flinch in the face of the threats. Others seemed to

Vidler targeted MPs from (mostly) Tory & even Labour Leaver Barry Gardiner independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/…

2/. To then Conservative MP Nick Boles, he said:

“If you f*** up Brexit we will cut your f***** throat. We know where you live and we know your f***ing timetable and we ain't joking."

3/. Another voicemail targeting Tory Remainer Dominic Grieve said: "Hello, Mr Grieve. We know your f***ing timetable and we know where you f***ing live, ok?"

4/. Vidler, 64, called again to repeat his threat the following day, warning: "You're dead, Grieve, we know where you and your f***ing family live.”

There is a particular cowardice from Vidler here.

5/. A voicemail for Labour MP Barry Gardiner days later called for a no-deal Brexit and added: “We are leaving in March, when will you understand that? The only thing that is likely to be extended is your neck.”

6/. A parliamentary assistant to the shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer answered a call where Vidler told her: “Keir Starmer is a walking f***ing dead man. He is a traitor and I am going to cut his neck.”

7/. “The messages were intercepted by members of staff working for six MPs in total, including former Conservative education secretary Nicky Morgan and Labour MP Jenny Chapman.”

8/. “The father-of -three, from west Harrow in London, had denied all charges but could not explain how the calls were made from his mobile phone.

Giving evidence, Vidler said he had “no idea” how the calls came to be made from his pay-as-you-go mobile phone.”

9/. Analysis of his phone revealed Google searches for the MPs and text messages to Vidler's daughter in which he shared his pro-Brexit views.

He had labelled politicians “absolute scumbags” and said the “Brexit fiddle” was making him angry, the court was told.

10/. Vidler was convicted of three counts of sending menacing or obscene messages and five counts of harassment, and jailed for 18 weeks on Friday.

I make that just over 2 weeks prison on average for each offence.

What were his previous convictions, if any?

11/. Actually. Quite a lot.

The court heard that Vidler, who admitted to having a “drink problem”, had 18 previous convictions dating back to 2002, including for causing criminal damage, being drunk & disorderly, & assaulting a police constable

I think he got off quite lightly

12/. He was also made subject to a criminal behaviour order which prevents him from contacting any MP except his own representative.

He lives in Harrow West.

Who is his poor MP?

Labour Coop. Gareth Thomas

In deepest sympathy.