UK MP Bob Stewart Relinquishes Party Whip Following Racially Aggravated Offence Conviction, Set to Appeal as Independent

Convicted for racially aggravated public order offence involving a Bahraini activist, Stewart plans to fight ruling; decision prompts call for action from opposition parties.

UK Member of Parliament Bob Stewart has been found guilty of a racially aggravated public order offence and has relinquished his Conservative Party whip pending an appeal.
Stewart was convicted for telling a Bahraini activist to 'go back to Bahrain' during a confrontation outside a Foreign Office event.
Following his conviction, opposition parties including Labour and the Liberal Democrats have called for action against Stewart's 'totally unacceptable' behaviour.
Stewart, who was fined £600 and additional legal costs amounting to £1,435, denies the charge and maintains that he is not a racist.
Stewart will now sit as an Independent in the House of Commons whilst he appeals his conviction.