Man charged after death threat to Labour MP the day before his colleague Jo Cox was murdered
Police swooped on man, 37, after series of abusive phone calls to Exeter MP
A MAN has been charged by police following a death threat to MP Ben Bradshaw - just one day before his Labour colleague Jo Cox was blasted to death.
Police swooped on the unnamed 37 year old following an abusive call made to Mr Bradshaw's Westminster office.
The telephone threat was recorded by the MP's office staff on Wednesday.
It is believed to have followed a campaign of extreme right wing racist and homophobic abuse aimed at the gay MP and his staff.
Mum-of-two Mrs Cox, 41, was shot in the street by a man following a surgery in her Batley and Spen constituency yesterday.
Devon and Cornwall Police said: "An abusive phone call to MP Ben Bradshaw was recorded on his Parliamentary office answering machine and heard on Thursday.
"The office informed Parliamentary Police and Devon and Cornwall Police.
"A 37-year-old male from Exeter has been charged under the Malicious Communications Act 1988 and bailed to appear before Exeter magistrates."
Mr Bradshaw, who was in London campaigning in the Tooting by-election on Thursday, said: "I am grateful to the police for acting so swiftly."
He is expected to return to his constituency today.
The 55-year-old MP, who was first elected to the West Country seat in 1997, yesterday paid tribute to Labour colleague Mrs Cox.
He tweeted: “Absolutely ghastly news about my lovely colleague Jo Cox. Thoughts & prayers for her & her loved ones.”