Yasmin Qureshi, MP for Bolton South East, took to the witness stand to make a impassioned plea for courts to treat threats to MPs seriously, in the aftermath of the murder of Jo Cox in 2016.

She told the court that she feared for her safety after receiving violent threats from her constituent Tyrone Gallagher.

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Ms Qureshi said she was “appalled” at the content of the voicemail messages and the Facebook post left by Gallagher.

She said: “It’s not just the abusive language, but the wild accusations that upset me.

“His threats made me feel constantly nervous and worried about my safety. But what upset me the most is that he really believes these things he says.

“I have no idea why he is accusing me of ‘abusing’ his granddaughter. I don’t know where it has come from.

“I don’t want to see anyone go to jail, I just want him to stop threatening me and my staff.

“After Gallagher’s threats, I feel vulnerable.”

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Responding to accusations that she had previously accused him of being a paedophile on social media, the former CPS barrister denied any knowledge of such claims.

She said: “I find what Mr Gallagher is saying quite shocking. I’m used to an element of abuse as an MP, but this is on a different level and is very worrying.”