A man who left a “highly offensive and insulting” voice message for Bradford West Labour MP Naz Shah (pictured above) has been sentenced. 

Thomas Mearing, 26, was given 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, after pleading guilty to a public communications offence at Taunton Magistrates’ Court.

He also received a five-year restraining order, banning him from contacting Ms Shah or attending her constituency office.

Ms Shah said “intimidation, harassment and abuse” directed at MPs and their staff was “completely unacceptable”.

According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Mearing accused Ms Shah of supporting Hamas and made other derogatory comments about her in the voicemail he left in November 2023.

Mearing phoned Ms Shah’s Bradford West constituency office at the weekend so the call went straight to voicemail – but it was picked up by a member of her staff the following Monday, according to the CPS.

She reported it to West Yorkshire Police and officers traced it back to Mearing, who lived in Yeovil, Somerset.

In police interview, Mearing accepted that he left the voicemail but insisted it was not intended to cause alarm or distress. However, he eventually pleaded guilty to sending an offensive communication to the MP.

Alex Herowych, a CPS senior crown prosecutor, said: “Mearing’s voicemail message was highly offensive and insulting to Ms Shah, and his comments have no place in a civilised society.

There is a world of a difference between robust criticism – which elected representatives should expect – and hateful abuse, which neither Ms Shah nor her constituency staff should be subjected to.

MPs are rightly protected by the same laws as everyone else, and would-be abusers should know they cannot send such vitriolic messages without repercussions.”

After Mearing was sentenced, Ms Shah told the Telegraph & Argus: “Robust debate, discussion and differing opinions should always be welcomed. As MPs, it is our duty to engage in this process.

However, intimidation, harassment and abuse directed at MPs and the hard-working staff who support us are completely unacceptable, just as they would be in any other workplace.

Tragically, MPs have been murdered – and the current threat level remains extremely serious. We must ensure that MPs and MPs’ staff can carry out their roles without fear of violence or intimidation.”