Man Charged for Threatening Tory MP Mike Freer

James Phillips faces charges after his arrest for a threatening call to MP Mike Freer, who cites ongoing threats as his reason for not seeking re-election.

A 46-year-old man, James Phillips, has been charged with malicious communications and assaulting a police officer after making a threatening phone call to Tory MP Mike Freer.
Mike Freer, MP for Finchley and Golders Green, announced he would not seek re-election due to a series of death threats and an arson attack on his office.
Phillips admitted to making the call on January 31, the same day Freer announced his decision to step down, and pleaded guilty to the charges.
Freer and his staff have decided to wear stab vests at public events following a close escape from an attempted attack by Ali Harbi Ali, who later murdered MP Sir David Amess.
A separate investigation into an arson attack on Freer's office on Christmas Eve is ongoing, with no link to the threatening phone call.